Storm Could Hit Foxborough with 5 Inches of Snow Thursday

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An ocean storm – with potential for heavy wet snow and strong winds - is expected to hit Massachusetts Wednesday night and could leave up to five inches of snow in Foxborough Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Both a Winter Storm Watch and Hazardous Weather Outlook have been issued by the NWS for Wednesday through Friday morning.

“A strong ocean storm will slowly pass through Southeast New England tonight through Friday,” the storm watch says. “Strong winds and heavy wet snow will likely affect Eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Eastern Connecticut and New Hampshire. Unfortunately, there is still some uncertainty regarding exact snowfall amounts but this storm will have a significant impact on Southern New England.”

That impact in Foxborough is expected to be between 3 and 5 inches of snow by Thursday night, with 1 to 2 inches possible overnight Wednesday. Here’s a closer look at the local forecast:

• Wednesday night: A chance of rain and snow before 10 p.m., then snow. Low around 31. North wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Thursday: Snow. High near 35. Breezy, with a north wind 20 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
• Thursday Night: Snow. Low around 32. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

NWS reports this will be a long duration storm with snow becoming heavy at times Thursday morning before slowly tapering off by Friday morning.The storm could make the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes Difficult because roads could become snow covered and slippery, according to the report. Strong winds expected in the area could also result in power outages. The NWS urges precautionary action be taken for this storm.“Now is the time to prepare for the storm,” the NWS said. “Stay informed of the latest forecasts. Those planning travel should be prepared to modify plans to avoid traveling during the height of the storm.”

Foxborough Patch will update the local forecast when more information becomes available.