Winter Weather — Southeast Middlesex, Massachusetts

2020-10-30 · Southeast Middlesex, Massachusetts

Event narrative

In southeast Middlesex County, snowfall ranged from 4.0 inches in both Melrose and Watertown to 5.3 inches in West Newton. In Cambridge at 1015 AM EDT, due to the weight of the snow, trees were reported down Read Street, Standish Street, and Upton Street, with trees and wires down on Highland Avenue. In Winchester at 1020 AM EDT, a large branch was down on Foxcroft Road at Salisbury Street. In Newton at 1115 AM EDT, a large tree was down on Walnut Street.

Wider weather episode

Immediately after winds and rainfall associated with post-tropical cyclone Zeta (which passed well to our southeast) diminished, a new system approached. This was a rapidly moving upper level low and its associated upper jet max, which moved northeastward from the Mississippi Valley and low pressure again passed to the south of New England. Cold air was streaming into the region from the north. The result was some heavy, wet snow across the region, with many areas receiving 3 to 6 inches. The weight of the snow caused scattered tree and power line damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 920890. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.