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Here's Our First Big Snow of 2017

NWS / weather.gov/box//winter

5:25pm - Our snow continues coming down, as we continue to operate under a Blizzard Warning from the National Weather Service. The Blizzard Warning stays in effect until 3am tonight. The NWS now forecasts 12 to 16 inches of accumulation across the region, with locally higher amounts possible. Snow will fall moderate to heavy at times into this evening then taper off to snow showers by midnight. Winds will increase substantially early this evening, and blizzard conditions are most likely between 5pm and 10pm.

Travel is not recommended!

As winds increase along with heavy snow this evening, we’re anticipating blowing and drifting snow along with near white-out conditions.

Expect winds from the north 20 to 30 mph with frequent gusts of 40 to 45 mph.

Forecasters do expect some snow to continue overnight  - although likely it’ll be intermittent light snow.

Here's a map of snowfall totals as of 4pm.

Credit NWS
Reported snowfall totals as of 4pm Saturday.

1:35 pm - The National Weather Service continues to forecast 15-20 inches of snowfall. Frank O'Laughlin, meteorologist with the Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee, is saying 10-15 inches. The heaviest snowfall and highest winds are expected mid-afternoon through this evening, and officials are cautioning people to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has opened their operations bunker in Framingham, and will be staffing it until midnight. Eversource is preparing for possible power outages, but there are none reported curently. Barnstable County officials say they see no need to open shelters at this time.    

9:25 am  - A good-sized snowstorm is expected today. The Nation Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for the region, until 3am Sunday. It calls for 15" to 20" of snow.  Snowfall will be heaviest between 4pm and 10pm. This coincides with the expected period of strongest winds. Wind will come from the north, blowing 20-30 mph, with gusts 40-45mph.

Snow is expected to be relatively dry and light, blowing into large drifts.

Here's a link to the NWS forecast, which will update through the day.

The NWS is cautioning for a possibility of power outages, encouraging people to charge their devices: