Significant snowfall is likely across southern New England late Sunday

Heavy snow becomes increasingly likely across much of southern New England away from the immediate south coast Sunday evening into Sunday night, making it a Level 10 Storm Warning.

The light rain will end on Saturday evening, with a short period of drier weather expected from Saturday night into early Sunday morning. There could even be a few sunny breaks on Sunday morning before the clouds move back in.

As a low pressure system approaches the region late Sunday and gains strength, precipitation will occur in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts between 3 and 5 p.m. Early in the storm it may start with a mix of rain and snow with temperatures above freezing, but after sunset on Sunday temperatures will quickly drop below freezing, making everything snow away from the immediate south coast.

The forecast model guidelines are more aligned with a colder, snowier outcome with this storm Sunday evening into Sunday night. As a result, the total snowfall forecast has increased for much of southern New England, with the exception of the Cape and Islands regions, where most precipitation is likely to fall as rain.

Providence County is currently under a winter storm warning with 4 to 8 inches of snow. Northern portions of Bristol County, Massachusetts, including Mansfield, Attleboro, Norton and Easton also have a good chance of receiving 4 to 8 inches. Lighter snowfall amounts in the 2 to 4 inch range are expected along and south of a line extending from Westerly through Providence to Taunton due to an extended period of mixed precipitation. There will likely only be up to 2 inches of coating on the Cape and Islands.

Across the greater Boston area west into central Massachusetts and in the Worcester area along and north of the Mass Pike, snow totals could exceed 8 inches as colder temperatures create a “fluff factor” that will increase snow totals in this region.

As the storm subsides, an arctic air mass will cover southern New England.

Highs on Monday will reach the low 20s, while highs on Tuesday and Wednesday will only be in the teens. If you take the wind into account, it will feel like the temperatures are below zero for a wind chill factor. Plan to keep the pets in the house and bundle up the kids!