First nor’easter of the season could turn into a ‘bomb cyclone’ in New England

This storm could intensify fast enough to become a “bomb cyclone,” a phenomenon characterized by a pressure drop of at least 24 millibars within 24 hours and increased precipitation and winds.

The heaviest rain will fall along the Eastern Seaboard, particularly from Richmond, Virginia, to Boston, where rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected.

The heaviest snow will likely fall between Worcester, Massachusetts and Caribou, Maine, where 8 to 12 inches is forecast. Over one foot of snow is possible for isolated locations, especially in Maine.

Travel is not advised

There is an increasing likelihood of heavy, wet snow for the region beginning Saturday and continuing through early Sunday morning.

Blowing snow could be an issue too, thanks to the gusty winds, which will reduce visibility to very low levels.

While most of this snow will be spread out over a 24-hour period, some heavy snow bands will produce several inches in just a few hours.

The type of snow that falls matters, too.

The greatest risk for power outages likely exists for central Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and Maine, where the snow will be heaviest and coming down at the highest rates.

It’s important to note that even if snow is not forecast for certain areas, residents should keep an eye on Saturday overnight temperatures. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut are all expecting temperatures below freezing Saturday overnight and Sunday morning, meaning that the rain left on the roadways will likely freeze, making driving conditions very dangerous.