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Nor'easter Complicates Mass. Holiday Travel

A nor'easter is forecast to bring rain, snow and wind to the area Wednesday.

WBUR meteorologist David Epstein says rain will quickly change to snow west of Route 495 around 10 a.m. Wednesday, and the rain/snow line will then move toward the coastline.

"The worst time to travel will be from about noon to midnight Wednesday on those roads where it is snowing," Epstein wrote in his Tuesday morning forecast.

Epstein predicts 6 to 10 inches of snow in central Massachusetts, with some isolated 12-inch amounts possible.

"Snow will then decrease in amounts as you move to the coastline," Epstein said. "In Boston the amounts will range from as little as an inch or 2 at Logan Airport up to 4 or 5 inches near the Newton line."

The snow and rain will end between midnight and 3 a.m., and Epstein predicts roads will be clear for travel Thursday morning.

Areas in pink are under a winter storm warning, with areas in purple under a winter weather advisory. (Updated Tuesday 7:30 p.m.)
Areas in pink are under a winter storm warning, with areas in purple under a winter weather advisory. (Updated Tuesday 7:30 p.m.)

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for most areas west of I-95 from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday, with eastern and southeastern parts of the state under a winter weather advisory.

The highest uncertainty around the forecast is where the rain/snow line will ultimately set up, the National Weather Service says, which could significantly alter predicted snowfall totals.

United, American, Jet Blue, Delta and Spirit airlines say they will waive fees for travelers who want to change their Wednesday reservations to avoid the storm.

Because of the storm, state highway officials now predict Tuesday will be the busiest travel day of the holiday week. The I-93 southbound carpool lane opened Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and all major highway construction was halted a day earlier than initially planned.

This article was originally published on November 25, 2014.

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