Heavy Rain & Strong Winds Expected On Christmas Across Western & Central Mass

A strong storm system and its associated frontal boundary will bring heavy rain, strong winds and the threat for flooding to all of Western and Central Mass during Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day. Unfortunately, there is no hope now for a white Christmas across the region as a strong area of low pressure heads into Quebec, Canada and pulls a very mild, very wet and very windy system across the area starting on Christmas Eve night and continuing through Christmas Day. Heavy Rain With Flooding: Rain showers will be on the increase during Christmas Eve afternoon with a steady rain overspreading the region just after midnight on Christmas Eve night. Heavy rain is expected throughout the morning on Christmas Day. This heavy rain is expected to come to an end during the early afternoon hours of Christmas Day with all rain coming to an end by the later afternoon hours of Christmas Day. Total rainfall amounts upwards of 2 to 3 inches are expected across the entire area. This will lead to street flooding across the entire area. In addition, the combination of the heavy rainfall, mild temperatures in the 50s and a rapidly melting snow pack will lead to river and stream flooding across all of Western and Central Mass. In fact, current guidance indicates that at least minor to possibly moderate flooding can be expected on the Connecticut River. Strong Winds: The potential for strong winds that could lead to downed trees and power outages is something that will really need to be watched from late Christmas Eve night through Christmas Day. South to southeast winds are expected to increase in velocity during Christmas Eve night with wind gusts of up to 50 to 60 mph expected after midnight on Christmas Eve night. South to southeast winds are expected to continue to be strong throughout Christmas Day morning with wind gusts of up to 50 to 60 mph expected. A shift of the wind into the southwest is expected on Christmas Day afternoon with wind gusts of up to 50 mph possible. The winds will finally diminish on Christmas night. Be prepared for the potential of downed trees and power lines with scattered to possibly widespread power outages from late Christmas Eve night through Christmas Day. Make sure you have batteries handy for flashlights. Also, be sure that your electronic devices are charged in the event that the power goes out. Bottom Line Is That, unfortunately, it looks like a VERY stormy Christmas across the entire area.