DISCUSSION: Winter Storm Watches are issued when the POTENTIAL exists for a substantial snowstorm in Western Massachusetts. Typically storms of this magnitude take the form of Nor’easters (which typically follow a Miller A or Miller B storm pattern), or Alberta Clippers that slow down and develop just south of Long Island. These are moderate to major snowstorms in size, and can be accompanied by strong winds, and major impacts to all types of travel.

DEFINITION: The official definition from NOAA is as follows:

When any of the following is expected within the next 12 to 36 hours:
— Winter weather event having more than one predominant hazard {i.e. heavy snow and blowing snow (below blizzard conditions), snow and ice, snow and sleet, sleet and ice, or snow, sleet and ice} meeting or exceeding warning criteria for at least one of the precipitation elements.

Snow, Ocean Effect Snow, or Sleet:
— 6 inches averaged over a forecast zone in a 12 hour period
— 8 inches averaged over a CT, MA, RI forecast zone in a 24 hour period
— 9 inches averaged over a NH forecast zone in a 24 hour period