The Steamship Authority Tuesday announced that is adding extra service to its Tuesday schedule in anticipation of service disruptions late Wednesday on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch from 2 pm, Wednesday until 1 am, Thursday, the SSA said in an email alert sent out Tuesday morning.
“Based on the current forecast, the Steamship Authority anticipates service disruptions Wednesday afternoon and evening. The Steamship Authority has added extra service for Martha’s Vineyard on Tuesday afternoon starting at 3 pm.
To make or modify a reservation call 508-477-8600, go online atwww.steamshipauthority.com, or visit one of the terminals.
The Steamship Authority advises its customers to check the Authority’s website for further updates at www.steamshipauthority.com
Current Conditions may be viewed athttp://www.steamshipauthority.com/ssa/OpsInfo.cfm
In a press release issued Tuesday morning, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) said snow is now expected to overspread areas of Massachusetts earlier Wednesday morning, 9-11 am in Western Massachusetts and 10-12 am in Eastern Massachusetts.
Colder temperatures with more significant snowfall are expected in Eastern and Southeastern Massachusetts.
The heaviest snow expected in the 1 pm to 8 pm timeframe with the potential for six or more inches of snowfall across interior Boston and immediate suburbs, higher amounts west.
Slightly stronger winds are expected, with high winds expected Wednesday night particularly across Southern Bristol County, and the Cape and Islands. There is the potential for 50-60 mph wind gusts along the immediate coast.
From National Weather Service Taunton and Albany:
A mix of precipitation will begin to overspread the state from south to north on Wednesday morning through midday. Interior southern New England will see snow beginning at daybreak on Wednesday reaching the heaviest point Wednesday afternoon and evening. This may result in snow accumulations on roadways, poor visibility, and some downed tree branches.
Along the I-95 corridor between Boston and Providence and points east remain the greatest amount of uncertainty for precipitation type but there is a potential for low amounts of slushy snow beginning around daybreak Wednesday reaching the heaviest point Wednesday afternoon into evening. Snow is expected to begin to taper into Thanksgiving morning. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible west of I-95.
Total snowfall accumulations are forecast to be 6 to 8 inches north and west of the rain/snow line, with totals of up to 10-14 inches possible at higher elevations such as the Berkshires and Worcester Hills. Areas to the south and east may receive 1 to 2 inches, and no accumulation will occur on the Cape and Islands. Boston could see 1” to 2” of slushy snow along the coast, and up to 5” or 6” away from the immediate coastline.
While the chief impact of this storm is expected to be heavy snow, northeast to north winds gusting up to 50 mph along the coast are possible, with gusts up to 60 mph across the Cape and Islands. The concern for high winds is primarily between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM on Wednesday. Some minor splash over and beach erosion along north- and northeast-facing shores may occur during the 2:00 AM high tide Thanksgiving morning.
