UPDATE: Blizzard Warning Issued for Stoughton Area; Friday's Storm Could Drop 2 Feet of Snow

Almost 35-years to the day of the anniversary of the Blizzard of '78, the Boston area is expected to get walloped by another snowstorm, which may drop as much as a foot or two of snow this Friday into Saturday.

Local meteorologists are projecting about 2 feet of snow for the Boston area, including Stoughton. This area is under a blizzard warning, from Friday morning until Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

WHDH Channel 7 projects 16-24 inches for this storm, with isolated areas getting around 30 inches; WCVB Channel 5 projects 12-24 inches; WBZ Channel 4 projects 18-24+ inches, with some areas getting as much as 30 inches; and FOX 25 projects more than a foot.

According to the National Weather Service, "snow should start early Friday morning, become strongest Friday evening, then taper off Saturday.  The snow could mix with or change to rain across south coastal parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts during Friday afternoon before changing back to snow by evening.  Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible."

The National Weather Service forecasts about 2 feet of snow. 

This is projected to be the heaviest snowfall the area has seen since January of 2011.

There will be lighter snow for the Friday morning commute, with the snow picking up over the course of the day and becoming heavy for the Friday evening commute, 7 News meteorologist Jeremy Reiner said during his midday forecast on Wednesday. There could be bursts of thunder snow, which could lead to snow total being closer to 2 feet, he said.

According to the National Weather Service, "Travel will become difficult, especially for the morning and evening commutes on Friday lasting through early Saturday. Snow covered roads and poor visibilities from drifting snow is possible.  Strong winds and significant snow accumulations may bring down power lines and tree limbs, especially during Friday night and Saturday. Finally, minor to moderate coastal flooding around the time of high tide Friday night and Saturday morning."

The Stoughton DPW reminds residents whose trash is collected on Fridays: "to insure rubbish/recycle pickup, all trash must be out by 7 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 8. We will not be returning."

"The Stoughton Fire Department would like to remind all residents that they should be prepared for the approaching storm. Please use the following link to help prepare your disaster kit, www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit," Stoughton Fire Chief Mark Dolloff wrote in an email.

"The Public Safety officials of the Town of Stoughton would like to inform the residents of the possibility of extended power outages due to the high winds associated with the approaching storm," Dolloff added in an email. "If you are a resident who relies on oxygen or any electrical life support devices please be sure to make appropriate preparations now to insure these devices continue to function properly."

The Stoughton Police Department issued the following reminder via Facebook: "In preparing for the snow, please plan to stay indoors and allow DPW to clear streets. If power goes down please call National Grid [1-800-465-1212] and not 911 as it can flood the system and please clear any hydrants near your home. Be safe and stay warm!"

A full release from the National Weather Service, passed along by Chief Dolloff, is posted below:

The National Weather Service in Taunton has just issued the following update on the winter storm that will impact the state on Friday and Saturday. 

The most significant changes are that the Winter Storm Watch has been extended to include the southeast portions of the state and the predicted snowfall totals have increased - - the NWS is now looking for 14-18” of snow across the central and eastern portions of the state, with 10-14” extending into the southeast.    

FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON:   The Winter Storm Watch has been expanded to include all of our forecast area.   The expansion includes parts of Northern CT, all of RI, and all of SE MA including the Cape and Islands.  

The updated statement and graphics (snowfall amounts and probabilities) can be found at http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/StormTotalSnow/index.php  

Uncertainty:  Computer models are converging on a similar solution.  Uncertainty continues as to the depth of penetration of above freezing air in southeast MA and RI Friday afternoon, which would mix or change the precipitation to rain.  Regardless, colder air will be pulled south into these areas Friday night changing any precipitation to snow.  

Timing and Duration: Snow should start early Friday morning, become strongest Friday evening, then taper off Saturday.  The snow could mix with or change to rain across south coastal parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts during Friday afternoon before changing back to snow by evening.  Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible.  

Location: All sections of Southern New England should be affected.   

Hazards: 1.  Heavy Snow...moderate to high confidence of 6 inches or more with at least a moderate potential for over one foot of snow accumulation.   

2.  Wind...Potential for Northeast winds gusting to 60 mph or higher along and near the coasts Friday night and Saturday morning.  Greatest risk for this wind would be along Cape Ann as well as Cape Cod and the Islands.  Higher elevations inland such as Blue Hill and the Worcester Hills and Northwest Rhode Island...may also be at risk.  

3.  Coastal Flooding... Potential for minor to moderate coastal flooding.  Greatest risk would be along the Massachusetts eastern coast during the Friday night high tide and across northern facing beaches during the Sat morning high tide.

Marine: Storm Force winds are likely on the coastal waters from Friday evening through Saturday morning.  

Impacts: Travel will become difficult, especially for the morning and evening commutes on Friday lasting through early Saturday. Snow covered roads and poor visibilities from drifting snow is possible.  Strong winds and significant snow accumulations may bring down power lines and tree limbs, especially during Friday night and Saturday. Finally, minor to moderate coastal flooding around the time of high tide Friday night and Saturday morning.