In less than 48 hours after a major snowstorm blanketed southern New England with up to 18 inches of snow, residents are bracing for another powerful storm system that is set to impact the region. The National Weather Service has issued flood watches, soon to be warnings, for areas that were under winter storm warnings just the day before.

The upcoming storm, expected to hit Tuesday night, is predicted to have significant impacts across the entire region. Although some areas may see wet snowfall, the primary concern will be intense rainfall. The system is forecasted to be highly anomalous for January in New England, releasing substantial amounts of water.

Rainfall is expected to begin between 3-6 p.m. on Tuesday, with the heaviest downpours occurring between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. overnight. By Wednesday morning, most of the rain should have tapered off, with amounts ranging from 1-3 inches, with an average of 2-2.5 inches for most towns.

The combination of mild temperatures, high dewpoints, and rapid snowmelt will likely result in flooding of rivers, streams, and poor drainage areas, exacerbating the risk of urban floods. Residents are urged to take precautionary measures in the next 24 hours, such as checking sump pumps, clearing storm drains, and assessing their properties to mitigate potential flood risks.

In addition to the flooding concerns, strong winds will also pose a significant threat. The National Weather Service has issued high wind watches, soon to be warnings, for eastern Massachusetts, with expectations for wind advisories in inland locations. These winds are expected to be generated by a "low-level jetstream" several hundred feet above ground level. The highest risk for strong wind gusts, between 55-70 mph, is anticipated in southeastern Massachusetts, while other areas near I-95 could experience gusts of 45-55 mph.

The timing of the storm is particularly concerning, as the heavy, wet snowfall from the previous storm remains on trees, making them vulnerable to the strong winds. The peak gusts are expected to occur overnight, between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., with a slight decrease for a few hours before picking up again as the storm system moves away.

Coastal areas are also under a threat of flooding, although the timing of the storm suggests a lower risk of the worst-case scenario. Astronomically higher tides, combined with the potential surge of winds, could lead to minor to moderate coastal flooding. The high tide cycle to monitor will be on Wednesday morning, between 6-7 a.m. in Buzzards Bay and closer to 10 a.m. over Cape Cod. Currently, it seems that the peak gusts will occur slightly before the high tide, providing some relief from a potentially catastrophic situation.

New England residents are reminded not to underestimate the impact of this storm, as flooding, high winds, and coastal threats can be just as severe—if not worse—than snowstorms. The WBZ Weather Team will provide updates hour by hour through WBZ-TV, WBZ.com, and CBS News Boston to keep the public informed and safe during this challenging weather event.