Harsh, rainy, weather dominates today amid glimmer of hope for White Christmas

By Melissa M. Werthmann, Globe Correspondent

Although it won’t be the end of the world, the Bay State should brace for this morning’s harsh weather to get stronger throughout the day, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm that dumped mounds of snow in the Midwest stomped into New England today, carrying torrential rain and heavy winds.

“It’s going to be a gradual build from here and the peak is midafternoon,” said meteorologist Bill Simpson.

Rain totals will be fairly consistent across the state, with most areas getting an inch or more by the time the storm passes, Simpson said.

Winds will whip across the state at sustained speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts will be up to 50 miles per hour, he said.

“The South Coast is the most vulnerable” and will see the strongest winds, Simpson said.

The fierce storm is causing some delays at Logan International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

A flight from Brazil to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport was diverted to Logan this morning because of the weather, said Massport spokesman Matthew Brelis. The ground stop on the flight has since been lifted and the plane took off to its destination, Brelis said.

Departures to Newark International Airport are delayed about two and half hours, according to the FAA’s airport status website.

Departures to LaGuardia Airport are delayed an hour and a half and departures to San Francisco International Airport are delayed more than four hours, the FAA said.

Some of the precipitation from today’s storm started out as snow during the overnight hours, Simpson said. Parts of the Berkshires were hit with 2½ inches, Worcester saw an inch of snow, and Francestown, N.H., received 4 inches, he said.

All of the white stuff, however, transitioned to rain this morning, crushing hopes that the snow would stay on the ground for Christmas.

But not all hope is lost.

There is currently a 30 percent chance that snow will fall on Christmas Day in Massachusetts. Boston could see rain or snow, but areas west of Route 128 are more likely to see snow Christmas morning, Simpson said.