Some Snow Forecast For New Year's

This weather forecast is reprinted from WCVB's J.C. Monahan. Please visit our weather page or WCVB's TheBostonChannel.com for continuing weather updates.

The forecast for the next few days is a bit tricky, as a complicated and potentially long-lasting winter storm begins Friday night and continues through Monday.

We have the first of several waves of low pressure passing through New England today. Snow is moving through quickly this afternoon. Some bands may be heavy, reducing visibility for a short time. A little mixing in southeastern, Mass. Snowfall totals will be light: Generally in the 1"-3" range.

Friday, the weather is damp with temperatures in the mid 30's. Expect a little light mix during the day, especially at the coast. If you're headed to the Winter Classic at Fenway Park, expect a little light mix or a few sprinkles.

The time frame of Friday night through Sunday is the most challenging.

A storm will intensify rapidly to our east in the Atlantic Ocean and temperatures will slowly turn colder. This will result in snow as winds gradually increase from the North overnight Friday into Saturday morning.

Just how quickly the storm intensifies and its exact track will determine who gets the greatest amounts of snow.

At this time, it looks like we'll have moderate snow Saturday morning, especially at the coast with strong NW winds. The snow will remain steady through Sunday and will slowly taper off Monday.

Over the course of these three days, 3-6"+ of snow will fall in our area. However, much heavier snow will accumulate to our north. Should this storm back in a bit farther southwest toward us or strengthens farther south of us, we could be in the heavier bands. Downeast Maine could get close to 2 feet of snow. SE NH and ME could have more than a half foot.

Also, tides are astronomical this weekend. Depending on where the ocean storm forms and how intense it gets will determine whether we have any significant coastal flooding.

Saturday and especially Sunday morning's high tide are some of the highest of 2010. Thankfully, winds will shift to the N-NW. This would limit flooding compared to a N-NE wind. Huge waves could still cause beach erosion.

It appears from Cape Ann northward to coastal New Hampshire and especially coastal Maine, the potential exists for more significant coastal flooding Saturday-Sunday morning.