A storm system produced heavy snow, strong to damaging winds, and minor coastal flooding in southern New England.  This was a tough storm to forecast.  Although it was not deep low pressure and although it passed just south of the 40N/70W benchmark, its precipitation shield was expansive because of a broad 700 mb low over southeast New England, abundant moisture, and a very cold air mass in place.  By far, the heaviest snow fell to the north (Laconia, NH) and west (Binghamton, NY), where more than 3 feet fell.  But amounts ranged from 10 to 20 inches across much of southern New England.  There was some minor coastal flooding at the time of high tide and also a flash freeze in eastern Massachusetts as the storm pulled away to the northeast.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snow generally ranged from 6.5 to 14 inches across eastern Plymouth County, Some specific snowfall amounts included 14.1 inches in Kingston (CoCoRaHS), 11.4 inches in Hingham (CoCoRaHS), 9.5 inches in Marshfield (CoCoRaHS), 8.7 inches in Duxbury (NWS Employee), and 6.6 inches in Plymouth (CoCoRaHS). Winds generally were gusting to 40 to 50 mph.  In Marshfield at 155 PM EST, the ASOS at the Marshfield Airport (KGHG) recorded a gust to 43 mph.  In Plymouth at 152 PM EST, the ASOS at the Airport (KPYM) recorded a gust to 41 mph.  In nearby Wareham at 253 PM EST, a CWOP station had a gust to 47 mph.

Heavy Snow in BARNSTABLE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall ranged from 2 to 4 inches on the outer Cape to up to 6 to 7.7 inches on the upper Cape.  More specifically, some snow totals included 7.7 inches in East Sandwich (CoOp Observer), 6.5 inches in West Falmouth (amateur radio), 5.6 inches in Yarmouth (CoCORaHS), 5.5 inches in Hyannis (WOCN radio), 5.0 inches in Harwich (amateur radio), 4.0 inches in Orleans (CoCoRaHS), and 2.7 inches in Eastham (CoCoRaHS).  Peak wind gusts during the afternoon of the 17th included 49 mph at Dennis (CWOP), 46 mph at Hyannis Airport (KHYA ASOS), and 36 mph at the Chatham Airport (KCQX ASOS).

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN BRISTOL, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Heavy snow generally ranged 7 to 10 inches in northern Bristol County. Winds generally were gusting to 30 to 40 mph.  Some specific snowfall totals included 10.3 inches at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Norton, 10.0 inches in Mansfield, 9.4 inches in Dighton, and 7.4 inches in Rehoboth.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow generally ranged from 8 to 14 inches across western Plymouth County, with the highest amounts closest to eastern Norfolk County.  Some specific snowfall amounts included 14.2 inches in Whitman (trained spotter), 13.6 inches in Rockland (trained spotter), 11.2 inches in Pembroke (CoCoRaHS), 9.0 inches in East Bridgewater (amateur radio), 8.5 inches in Hanover (amateur radio), 8.0 inches in Lakeville (amateur radio), and 8.0 inches in Middleboro (Twitter report).  Winds generally were gusting to 35 to 40 mph.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN BRISTOL, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snow averaged 5 to 6 inches across southern Bristol County, but ranged from a low of 3.7 inches in Dartmouth (CoCoRaHS) to a high of 7.6 inches in Somerset (CoCoRaHS).  Other reports included 6.2 inches in Fairhaven (amateur radio), 5.8 inches in Acushnet (amateur radio), and 5.0 inches in New Bedford (amateur radio).  Winds generally were gusting to 35 to 40 mph, with a peak wind gust of 43 mph recorded by a CWOP station on West Island in Fairhaven at 201 PM EST.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall averaged 6 to 7 inches in southern Plymouth County.  In Wareham, a trained spotter reported 6.4 inches.  In nearby Plymouth, a CoCoRaHS observer reported 6.6 inches.  Winds generally were gusting to 40 to 50 mph.  In Wareham at 253 PM EST, a CWOP station had a gust to 47 mph.  At the Plymouth Airport (KPYM) at 152 PM, the ASOS recorded a gust to 41 mph.

Coastal Flood in EASTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 17-DEC-20 12:05:00 to 17-DEC-20 12:57:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Minor coastal flooding occurred around the time of high tide.  In Hull at 1205 PM EST, there was minor flooding on Nantasket Avenue at the wastewater treatment plant.  In Scituate at 1226 PM EST, the media posted a video of minor coastal flooding.  In Plymouth at 1244 PM EST, Warren Avenue was closed from coastal flooding.  In Marshfield at 1257 PM EST, minor coastal flooding made Plymouth Avenue impassable and Ocean Street closed near the Esplanade.

Coastal Flood in SUFFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 17-DEC-20 12:05:00 to 17-DEC-20 12:38:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Minor coastal flooding occurred around the time of high tide.  In Boston at 1205 PM EST, Two lanes both northbound and southbound of Morrissey Blvd. were closed between UMass and Freeport Street.  In Revere at 1235 PM EST, there was minor flooding on Mills Avenue by River Avenue.  In Winthrop at 1238 PM EST, Revere Street/Winthrop Shore Drive was closed from Crest Avenue to the Revere town line due to minor coastal flooding.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snowfall generally ranged from 8 to 15 inches in western Essex County. Specific amounts included 14.9 inches in Middleton (CoOp observer), 12.5 inches in Topsfield (public), 12.5 inches in Haverhill (public), 12.5 inches in Methuen (trained spotter), 11.5 inches in North Andover (CoCoRaHS), and 10.5 inches in Boxford (CoCoRaHS), and 8.5 inches in Lawrence (CoOp observer).  Winds generally were gusting to 30-40 mph.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow ranged mainly from 10 to 15 inches across eastern Essex County.  Some specific amounts included 15.0 inches in Salem (trained spotter), 15.0 inches in Ipswich (trained spotter), 14.0 inches in Beverly (amateur radio), 13.0 inches in Gloucester (trained spotter), 12.3 inches in Danvers (amateur radio), 12.0 inches in Peabody (amateur radio), 11.3 inches in Newburyport (CoCoRaHS), and 10.5 inches in Rockport (CoCoRaHS).  Winds gusted to 51 mph at a CWOP station in Rockport at 105 PM EST but generally were gusting to 30 to 40 mph during the afternoon.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow ranged from 10 to 20 inches in western Franklin County, in the east slopes of the Berkshires.  Some specific amounts included 20.0 in East Hawley (Co-Op observer), 17.7 inches in Rowe (Co-Op observer), 17.5 inches in Colrain (CoCoRaHS), 17.2 inches in Buckland (CoCoRaHS), 16.3 inches in Conway (CoCoRaHS), 12.5 inches in Leyden (public), and 10.0 inches in Heath (amateur radio).  Winds generally were gusting to 20 to 30 mph.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

While no reports were received from the hill towns in western Hampden County, per se, we are estimating that heavy snow on the order of 10 to 20 inches fell, based on reports from surrounding areas.  Winds generally were gusting to 20 to 30 mph.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snow ranged from 9 to 20.5 inches across western Hampshire County, with the highest amounts in the immediate east slopes of the Berkshires.  Some specific totals included 20.5 inches in Westhampton (CoCoRaHS), 20.0 inches on the west side of Plainfield (CoCoRaHS), 17.0 inches in Goshen (broadcast media), 12.0 inches in Huntington (trained spotter), 12.0 inches on the east side of Plainfield (CoCoRaHS), and 9.0 inches in Williamsburg (CoCoRaHS).  Winds generally were gusting to 20 to 30 mph.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snow ranged from 7 to 17 inches across eastern Franklin County.  Some specific amounts included 17.0 inches in Montague (CoCoRaHS), 16.2 inches in Greenfield (public), 12.0 inches in New Salem (trained spotter), 11.6 inches in Sunderland (CoCoRaHS), 11.0 inches in Bernardston (CoCoRaHS), 8.0 inches in Leverett (Co-Op observer), and 7.0 inches in Shutesbury (amateur radio).  Winds generally were gusting to 20 to 30 mph.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow ranged from 7.5 to 12.7 inches across eastern Hampshire County.  Some specific totals included 12.7 inches in Amherst (Co-Op observer), 10.0 inches in Northampton (trained spotter), 10.0 inches in Easthampton (amateur radio), 8.0 inches in Hadley (amateur radio), and 7.5 inches in Belchertown (amateur radio).  Winds generally were gusting to 25-35 mph.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow ranged from about 8 to 13 inches in eastern Hampden County.  Some specific amounts included 13.0 inches in both Longmeadow (trained spotter) and Agawam (public), 12.2 inches in Westfield (KBAF CWO), 11.5 inches in Springfield (trained spotter), 10.8 inches in East Longmeadow (CoCoRaHS), 10.2 inches in West Springfield (CoCoRaHS), and 8.0 inches in Monson (amateur radio).  Winds generally were gusting to 30 to 35 mph.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow ranged from 10.5 to 14.5 inches across northwest Middlesex County.  Some specific totals included 14.5 inches in Ashby (general public), 13.0 inches in West Townsend (trained spotter), 10.9 inches in Townsend (trained spotter), and 10.5 inches in Pepperell (trained spotter).  Winds generally were gusting to 25 to 35 mph.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow ranged from 9.0 to 15.2 inches across western Middlesex County.  Some specific amounts included 15.2 inches in Lowell (public), 15.0 inches in Hudson (public via Twitter), 14.7 inches in Sudbury (amateur radio), 14.5 inches in Framingham (CoCoRaHS), 14.0 inches in Marlboro (amateur radio), 14.0 inches in Sudbury (CoCoRaHS), 14.0 inches in Bedford (trained spotter), 13.7 inches in Tewksbury (trained spotter), 13.5 inches in Holliston (CoCoRaHS), 13.2 inches in Sherborn (trained spotter), 10.0 inches in Lincoln (CoCoRaHS), and 9.0 inches in Carlisle (amateur radio).  Winds generally were gusting to 25 to 35 mph.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow generally ranged from 12 to 16 inches across southeast Middlesex County.  Some specific amounts included 16.0 inches in Waltham (trained spotter), 15.0 inches in West Newton (public), 14.6 inches in Winchester (CoCoRaHS), 14.5 inches in Melrose (CoCoRaHS), 14.5 inches in Wakefield (trained spotter), 13.5 inches in Somerville (CoCoRaHS), 13.3 inches in Lexington (public), and 12.0 inches in Cambridge (CoCoRaHS).  Winds generally were gusting to 30 to 35 mph.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow generally ranged from 9 to 15.4 inches in western Norfolk County.  Some specific amounts included 15.4 inches in Sharon (public), 13.2 inches in Randolph (trained spotter), 13.0 inches in Walpole (amateur radio), 13.0 inches in Wrentham (amateur radio), 12.0 inches in Foxboro (NWS employee), 11.8 inches in Norwood (CoCoRaHS), 11.5 inches in Dover (amateur radio), 11.5 inches in Millis (CoCoRaHS), 10.0 inches in Franklin (amateur radio), and 9.6 inches in Medway (public).  Winds generally were gusting to 20-30 mph.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow generally ranged from 12.0 to 16.5 inches in eastern Norfolk County.  Some specific amounts included 16.5 inches from the Cooperative Observer atop the Blue Hill in Milton, 13.4 inches in Quincy (public), 13.0 inches in Weymouth (trained spotter), 13.0 inches in Braintree (trained spotter), and 12.0 inches in North Weymouth (amateur radio).  Winds generally were gusting to 30 to 35 mph.  At 251 PM EST on the 17th, the ASOS at the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton (KMQE) recorded a gust to 36 mph.

Heavy Snow in SUFFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow fell in the Boston area, generally ranging from 12 to 18 inches.  Some specific amounts included 17.6 inches in the Jamaica Plain section of Boston (CoOp observer), 13.5 inches in Dorchester (trained spotter), 13.3 inches in Chelsea (trained spotter), and 12.7 inches at Logan International Airport.  Winds generally were gusting to 30 to 35 mph.  At 1254 PM EST on the 17th, the ASOS at Boston's Logan International Airport (KBOS) recorded a gust to 33 mph.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 21:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow in northern Worcester County generally ranged from 9 to 15 inches.  Some specific amounts included 15.1 inches in Lunenburg (trained spotter), 14.0 inches in Winchendon (amateur radio), 12.9 inches in Leicester (CoCoRaHS), 12.8 inches in Fitchburg (CoOp observer), 11.5 inches in Hubbardston (public), 11.0 in Ashburnham (CoOp observer), 10.2 inches in Boylston (trained spotter), 10.0 inches in Berlin (CoCoRaHS), 10.0 inches in Harvard (CoCoRaHS), and 9.8 inches in Barre (trained spotter).  Winds generally were gusting to 25 to 35 mph.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow in southern Worcester County generally ranged from 10 to 16 inches.  Some specific amounts included 16.1 inches in Grafton (trained spotter), 13.3 inches in Milford (trained spotter), 12.5 inches in Westborough (NWS employee), 12.1 inches at the Worcester Airport, 11.7 inches in Northborough (CoCoRaHS), 11.6 inches in Southbridge (CoOp observer), and 10.0 inches in Shrewsbury (public).  Winds generally were gusting to 25 to 35 mph.  At 154 PM EST on the 17th, the ASOS at the Worcester Airport (KORH) recorded a gust to 36 mph.