A rare and historic October Nor'easter brought very heavy snow to portions of southern New England on Saturday October 29.  Low pressure tracked northeast from the North Carolina coast Saturday morning, rapidly strengthening as it passed well south of Nantucket Saturday evening. As the storm intensified, colder air from aloft was drawn into New England resulting in heavy snow in the interior.
Snowfall accumulations of one to two feet were common in the Monadnocks, Berkshires, Connecticut Valley, and higher elevations in central Massachusetts. Up to 31 inches of snow was reported at Jaffrey, New Hampshire and Plainfield, Massachusetts. Minor accumulations were even reported down to the south coast as the rain changed to a period of snow late Saturday night before ending. The accumulation of the heavy wet snow on trees and power lines resulted in widespread tree damage and power outages across many communities in central and western Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and northeastern Connecticut.  This resulted in school closures and numerous towns cancelled or rescheduled Halloween and trick-or-treating activities.  At the peak, 665,000 customers in Massachusetts were without power.  Seventy-seven shelters were opened and sheltered over 2000 residents across the state.  All shelters were closed by the evening of November 6th.  A state of emergency was declared by Governor Patrick on October 29th and he declared an end to the state of emergency on November 6th.
Six fatalities occurred during and in the aftermath of the storm.  They are not included in the Storm Data statistics due to their very indirect nature.  Further descriptions of these fatalities are as follows:
Four people died from carbon monoxide poisoning from improperly ventilated generators, including a 47 year old Worcester man and a 49 year old Hatfield woman.
A Lunenberg resident died in a fire.
A 20 year old Springfield man died after walking into an area of downed power lines and stepping on or touching an electrified metal guardrail.
The precipitation started as mainly snow early Saturday afternoon across the interior of southern New England, although a brief period of rain at the onset was common across the lower elevations. Several hours of heavy snow occurred from mid afternoon through late evening on Saturday October 29. Snowfall rates reached 3 inches per hour for several hours in the Berkshires and Monadnocks as a nearly stationary band of heavy snow set up across this region. The snow tapered off just after midnight Saturday night in western New England with the last of the precipitation exiting eastern New England Sunday morning. This storm also brought damaging winds to Cape Cod and the islands with wind gusts up to 70 mph occurring early Sunday morning October 30 as well as minor to moderate coastal flooding to east coastal Massachusetts during the high tide early Sunday morning.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 12:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Eight to twenty-two inches of snow fell across northern Worcester County.  Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees, breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages.  Downed trees and power lines resulted in the closure of Routes 67 and 148.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 12:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Ten to thirteen inches of snow fell across eastern Franklin County.  Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees, breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 11:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Ninteen to thirty-one inches of snow fell across western Hampshire County.  Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees, breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 12:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Six to ten inches of snow fell across eastern Hampshire County.  Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees, breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 11:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 06:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Twenty to twenty-five inches of snow fell across western Hampden County.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 12:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Three to fourteen inches of snow fell across southern Worcester County, with the highest amounts to the north and west.  Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees, breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages.

Winter Weather in WESTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 20:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Three to five inches of snow fell across interior Essex County.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 14:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Ten to eighteen inches of snow fell across northwest Middlesex County.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 15:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Two to ten inches of snow fell across western Middlesex County, with the higher amounts focused to the west.  Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees, breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages.

Winter Weather in SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 22:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 06:30:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Two to five inches of snow fell across southeast Middlesex County.  Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees, breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages.

Winter Weather in WESTERN NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 22:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Two to six inches of snow fell across western Norfolk County.  Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees, breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages.

Winter Weather in WESTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 30-OCT-11 00:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Two to three inches of snow fell across western Plymouth County.

Strong Wind in WESTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 21:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 01:13:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Several trees across interior Essex County were downed by gusty winds.  One was downed onto a house in Methuen.  Another was blocking Route 133 right before the exit to Interstate 95 in Georgetown.  Several downed trees closed the Ward Hill Connector between Interstate 495 and Route 125.

High Wind in EASTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 22:54:00 to 29-OCT-11 23:35:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

An amateur radio operator recorded a 49 mph wind gust on their home weather station in Rockport.  The Automated Surface Observing System at Beverly Municipal Airport (KBVY) recorded a 45 mph wind gust.  Trees were downed throughout coastal Essex County by gusty winds.  One was downed onto a house on Virginia Avenue in Beverly.  Another on two cars on Crescent Avenue in Lynnfield.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 11:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 8.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Fourteen to fifteen inches of snow fell across eastern Hampden County.  Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees, breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages. Many emergency shelters were opened for residents without power and by Monday, there were lines at all open gas stations. Area public schools were closed for 5 to 6 days. Springfield estimated there were 50,000 cubic yards of tree damage in town. The snowstorm destroyed the town of Palmers 100 year old fire alarm box.  Several towns have estimated costs of over $2 million in cleanup.  An Amtrak train bound for Boston from Chicago was stopped near Palmer by a rockslide blocking the tracks.  Forty-eight passengers were stuck on the train and were later bussed to their destinations.

Strong Wind in SUFFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 23:35:00 to 30-OCT-11 01:46:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 27.00 MS
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

The Automated Surface Observing System at Logan International Airport (KBOS) recorded sustained winds of 31 mph.  A tree was downed closing the arborway.

Coastal Flood in BARNSTABLE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 30-OCT-11 01:14:00 to 30-OCT-11 01:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Moderate coastal flooding occurred with splashover a small seawall that resulted in the flooding of Old Main Street in Sandwich with 18 to 24 inches of water.  This made the road impassable.  Astronomically high tides contributed to the coastal flooding.

High Wind in BARNSTABLE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 30-OCT-11 01:20:00 to 30-OCT-11 01:20:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

An amateur radio operator in Sandwich recorded a wind gust to 62 mph on their home weather station.  No damage was reported.

High Wind in DUKES, MASSACHUSETTS
From 30-OCT-11 01:27:00 to 30-OCT-11 02:39:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 37.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Automated Surface Observing System at Martha's Vineyard Airport (KMVY) recorded sustained wind speeds of 43 mph and gusts to 59 mph.  No damage was reported.

Coastal Flood in EASTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 30-OCT-11 01:32:00 to 30-OCT-11 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Moderate coastal flooding occurred in Scituate, partially flooding Cole Parkway and Lighthouse Road.  Rocks from the seawall washed into a parking lot adjacent to Lighthouse Road.  In Plymouth, cobble surrounded Bert's Landing restaurant.

High Wind in BARNSTABLE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 30-OCT-11 01:39:00 to 30-OCT-11 03:11:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 37.00 MS
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Automated Surface Observing System at Barnstable Municipal - Boardman Airport recorded sustained wind speeds to 43 mph and gusts to 60 mph.  Trees and wires were downed on Old County and Quaker Meeting House Roads in Sandwich.  A pine tree was downed on Setucket Road, east of Route 134 in Dennis.  In addition, an amateur radio operator in Barnstable recorded a wind gust to 69 mph on their home weather station.  In Chatham Harbor, four boats were pulled from their moorings or dragged them along, washing onshore.

High Wind in NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS
From 30-OCT-11 02:27:00 to 30-OCT-11 02:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Automated Surface Observing System at Nantucket Memorial Airport (KACK) recorded sustained winds to 53 mph and gusts to 68 mph.  No damage was reported.

Coastal Flood in EASTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 30-OCT-11 01:15:00 to 30-OCT-11 01:45:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Moderate coastal flooding occurred, causing significant damage to access structures such as stairs and walkways on the beach.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 29-OCT-11 12:00:00 to 30-OCT-11 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Eighteen to twenty-five inches of snow fell across western Franklin County.  Heavy wet snow fell on foliated trees, breaking branches and downing trees and wires, resulting in widespread power outages.