One more quiet night...worst of Sandy between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday.
Conditions remain virtually the same for western Massachusetts heading through the overnight ... overcast skies, breezy, but still staying mostly dry. Winds continue to be generally around 10 to 15 mph, with an occasional gust up to 25 mph ... nothing out of the ordinary yet. A few sprinkles are trying to develop over eastern Massachusetts, but nothing is expected to significantly materialize until closer to Monday morning. Winds continue to gradually increase overnight.
Hurricane Sandy is still expected to make landfall near Atlantic City, N.J. late Monday night. It will then move westward through the Philadelphia area before turning northward and stalling out over central Pennsylvania through Tuesday and Wednesday.
The "peak" of the storm for western Massachusetts - the heaviest rain and strongest wind - is expected between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Monday.
Rain from this storm will be with us starting Monday, with heavy, steady pockets at times. In total, expect a general 2 to 3 inches in the Springfield area through Tuesday, with isolated higher amounts possible, especially towards the Berkshires. The steadiest rain is expected Monday evening.
Sustained winds will reach 30-35 mph on Monday, with gusts up to 50 mph possible in the Springfield area and 60 mph in the hill towns. The winds should ease up a little bit for the remainder of the storm, eventually dropping to a breezy 15-25 mph by the end of the day Tuesday. The persistent rain eventually comes to an end on Wednesday, although scattered showers will stick around as this storm lingers/dissipates through Friday.
Scattered power outages are possible, although it should not be quite as widespread across western Massachusetts as last year's October Nor'easter. Minor flooding is likely this week in the typically prone places such as low-lying areas, urban areas, underpasses and near creeks and streams. Washed-out roadways are also a possibility over hilly terrain.
Much of the damage from last year's Tropical Storm Irene was caused by flooding, while the main concern for this storm will be focused on wind damage.
Tonight: Cloudy, a few showers by morning, low 50.
Monday: Nor'easter conditions, wind and rain, strongest between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., high 58.
Tuesday: Nor'easter conditions, breezy and rainy, winds begin dying down, high 60.
Wednesday: Cloudy, scattered showers, a little breezy, high 59.
Radar | 5 Day Forecast