Significant Weather Blog: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 9 AM
Storm Wrap Up
Looks like generally 4 to 7 inches of snow fell across north central Massachusetts and western Massachusetts yesterday (December 2). The amounts tapered down to generally 1 to 3 inches along the I-495 corridor (north of the Mass Pike) and along the Mass Pike (I-90) corridor west of I-495. Little or no snow occurred to the south and east of I-90 and I-495.
As expected, the onshore flow off a relatively mild ocean kept the precipitation as rain along the coastal plain (with temperatures well into the 40s to even near 50 along coastal areas south of Boston). A coastal front occurs when a surface ENE wind off the coast slows down due to friction and turns to become more NNE inland. This kept surface temperatures near the freezing mark inland along and north of the I-90 corridor. A wrinkle which kept snowfall toward the lower end of the ranges was an intrusion of an above freezing warm layer aloft into CT, RI, and south central and eastern MA. Although the surface low pressure center passed a little southeast of New England, the associated mid-level low pressure circulation passed further north over southern New England and allowed some of that warmer air to move further north before getting cut off. This is also why many interior areas outside of the Worcester Hills experienced a period of freezing rain yesterday afternoon. With our more intense nor’easters, there tends to be less of a slope of low pressure from surface to aloft which in turn cuts off the warm air intrusion further south.
The precipitation did change to all snow before ending as far southeast as the I-95 corridor, but little/no accumulation occurred as is typically the case in eastern MA and RI. By late last night, the air mass was beginning to dry out. In more intense nor’easters, we sometimes experience some accumulating “wrap around” snow on the back side.
Rest of Week Outlook
Coldest air of the season is expected later this week into the weekend following an arctic front passage tomorrow (Thursday). Presently, models indicate that a storm may pass south of New England Friday night or Saturday, possibly brushing the south coast including the Cape. Will keep an eye on how this develops, although it does not currently look to have a major impact on southern New England. Will post an outlook for next week on Monday.
About this Blog and Disclaimer
The National Weather Service monitors the weather 24/7 and updates forecasts, watches, and warnings as necessary. For most of southern New England, refer to your local Weather Forecast Office for the latest forecast/warning information at weather.gov/box. For information from other Weather Forecast Offices, go to weather.gov and click on the location of interest on the map.
A blog is issued when there is a potential risk of hazardous weather to southern New England and serves to provide background information regarding the significant weather with somewhat of an educational slant. In the case of hurricanes, the author will attempt to issue a message when any portion of the United States coastline may be seriously impacted. It’s intended to complement and not serve as an alternative to official forecasts issued by the National Weather Service. Readers are urged to check National Weather Service forecasts and warnings for the most timely and updated weather information. This weather message is solely produced by the listed author and does not constitute an official product of the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC).
The frequency of this blog will depend upon the nature of the weather threat and availability of the author. Thus, for the latest information on weather forecasts and warnings, refer to the National Weather Service, which monitors and forecasts the weather 24/7.
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center (BHOSC)
The BHOSC maintains a continuous daily observation record that dates from February 1, 1885 without interruption and provides educational information on weather and climate to area students and the community at large. Your support of BHOSC is much appreciated and enables this nonprofit organization to maintain the long-term climate record at the Blue Hill Observatory (longest continuous record in North America) and provide valuable educational resources on weather and climate via outreach to schools, site visits/tours, webinars, and conferences. For more information on the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, explore bluehill.org.
Message issued December 3, 2025 by:
Bob Thompson
Retired National Weather Service Meteorologist
Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center Board membe
