WPRI’s T.J. Del Santo Updates SouthCoast Snow Totals

A powerful winter storm is expected to bring a major blast of snow and cold to the SouthCoast and Cape this weekend, and 12 Pinpoint Weather meteorologist T.J. Del Santo said many towns should plan for a foot of snow or more.

Del Santo told Fun 107 that confidence is growing that the region is in for a pretty good wallop as the storm pushes in Sunday and continues into Monday. The cold will arrive first, with Del Santo warning that wind chills Saturday morning could dip to 10 to 15 degrees below zero in parts of the SouthCoast.

When Will the Snow Start This Weekend?

As for the snow, Del Santo expects flakes to begin spreading into the area Sunday morning, likely by late morning. While the early hours may start off manageable, he said the real concern is the timing of the heavy snow.

“It really becomes heavy late in the afternoon,” Del Santo said, adding that conditions could ramp up quickly after 4 p.m. and continue through Sunday evening and into the night.

Heaviest Snow Kicks in During AFC Championship Game

That timing lines up with the Patriots and Broncos AFC Championship Game, meaning fans could be watching the heaviest part of the storm hit right as the game is underway.

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Forecast Snow Total By Town

Snowfall totals will vary depending on location. Del Santo said coastal areas from Westport to the Cape Cod Canal should generally see eight to 12 inches. Farther inland, especially closer to Fall River, totals could climb into the 12 to 15 inch range.

Del Santo said areas closer to Taunton and up into Attleboro could see the biggest jackpot, with totals potentially reaching two feet.

Are Power Outages Likely?

The good news is the snow is expected to be fairly fluffy at first, with some sleet mixing in later. Del Santo does not expect widespread power outages since winds are not forecast to be strong enough to bring down limbs or lines.

Del Santo also believes snow may still be falling during the Monday morning commute, making school delays or closures a real possibility as plow crews work to keep up.