NWS Boston Raises Bedford’s Snow Totals to 12 – 18 Inches

Compiled by The Bedford Citizen

Whether you call this winter storm Grayson, bombogenesis, or a bomb cyclone, the chances are better than 50/50 that Bedford will experience a substantial snowstorm in the next 24 to 36 hours.

The National Weather Service in Boston increased its snowfall projection to 12 – 18 inches at 3 pm on Wednesday afternoon.

Supt. Jon Sills canceled Thursday classes and evening activities for Bedford schools on Thursday, and an announcement from the Town of Bedford notes that all municipal office (including the library) will be closed and evening meetings are canceled. Shawsheen Valley Techical High School will also be closed due to the storm.

According to the announcement, “Town Officials will be monitoring the weather event and its impacts in order to assess whether or not there is a need to open a Town warming center or shelter. Should a decision be made to do so, additional information will be provided.”.

Recycling coordinator Ed McGrath reminds residents to bring their trash carts and recycling bins in from the curb to make way for the snow plows that will go into service very early on Thursday morning.

The storm could be termed a“bomb cyclone” or bombogenesis event when barometric pressure plummets precipitously, dropping 24 millibars within 24 hours as an indication of an explosively strengthening storm. According to the National Weather Service, Bedford’s barometric pressure at 5 pm was 30.15  or 1022.9 millibars.

Winds are expected to howl, with gusts above 40 miles per hour through Thursday. After the storm passes, Bedford will return to the deep freeze, with highs from 6 to 11 degrees during the day and nighttime temperatures below zero.