Live Updates: Many schools closed Friday as dangerous cold follows nor'easter

BOSTON - A major nor’easter moved through our area, and snow wasn't the only concern! Strong winds and flooding led to major problems as the day progressed. The following post will be updated with the latest information at the top of the story.

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Friday, 5 a.m.:

Residents are being warned of record-breaking and potentially dangerously low temperatures after enduring whiteout conditions and major flooding from Thursday's powerful nor'easter.

A blast of cold air and bitter winds follow the snow, and that could make it feel like -15 throughout most of New England.

Thursday, 11 p.m.: 

Most of the storm has moved in and is now impacting northern Maine. Temperatures are expected to drop into the low teens overnight as crews work to get the roads clear for the morning commute.

Tune in to Boston 25 News starting at 4 a.m. for traffic and weather together every 10 minutes

Thursday, 8 p.m.:

The snow is tapering off for most of the area. We are now looking at the morning wind chill - which is quite cold.

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There is currently a wind advisory until 1 a.m. and a coastal flooding advisory for the Cape starting at 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Thursday, 6 p.m.:

The peak of the snowstorm has passed, and Chief Meteorologist Kevin Lemanowicz expects the bulk of the snow to be over by 10 p.m.

In an evening news conference, Gov. Baker said several dozen coastal communities reported flooding from Salisbury to Orleans.

The MBTA Red Line Braintree Branch will close south of JFK station at 10 p.m. to allow for snow removal. The Ashmont Branch and Orange Line will remain open for normal service hours.

On Friday, all commuter services except the ferries are expected to run on a normal weekday schedule, but lingering snow impacts and single-digit temperatures could create problems. The ferries will be closed.

State Police reported a high number of spin outs and stuck vehicles, but said so far there have been no major crashes.

Thursday, 3:45 p.m.:

The Massachusetts National Guard spend Thursday rescuing people stranded in their cars due to flood waters up and down the coast.

Major Lisa Ahaesy told Boston 25 News the transportation company had made multiple rescues due to the flood water.

A crew in Marshfield even had to turn to a tactical vehicle to rescue a mother and two children from rising flood waters before noon Thursday, she said.

Thursday, 3:00 p.m.:

With more than 12 inches of snow expected before 9 p.m., Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced schools would be closed Friday at a press conference Thursday.

"We do have too many cars on the streets of Boston, people are stopping out there and getting stuck," he said. "We have over 750 pieces of equipment that are out there today."

Walsh praised the city's teams for providing service in treating roads, helping stranded residents and providing warm places for kids and families to go.

He said he expects the receding water to reduce problems later in the day and noted high tide around midnight wouldn't pose as many problems as the afternoon high tide.

"I can't stress that we are getting too many people stuck in snow," Walsh reiterated. "Please get off the roads now."

Walsh said plowing crews would focus on bridges, hills and major roads but would work into the night to clear the city.

Thursday: 2:00 p.m.:

Flooding became a major issue up and down the Massachusetts coast as high tides began to peak Thursday afternoon.

The wind and high surf broke over seawalls and poured onto streets from Nantucket, to Plymouth, to Boston's Long Wharf.

While the tide height has hit the mark set by the Blizzard of 1978, that storm had multiple peaks. Once the tide crests, however, it will be slow to recede.

After the tide begins to recede the flooding problems will stick around into the evening, according to Boston 25 Stormtracker Meteorologists.

Thursday: 1:23 p.m.:

Thursday, 8:00 a.m.

The Governor and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency are asking all residents to stay off the roads as an expected blizzard makes its way across the eastern part of the state.

"We can't say it enough, don't crowd the plow," Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said at a news conference Thursday morning. "This is winter in New England, as our first big storm of the season makes its way across the Commonwealth, we ask residents to look out for each other."

Baker urged companies to allow employees to work from home and asked everyone to use public transit if they absolutely must go out.

"The snow will freeze quickly and bitter cold temperatures will return," he added, urging residents to be prepared for extended power outages when the cold returns over the weekend.

Thursday, 5 a.m.

The first major winter storm of the season is knocking at our door!

Overnight, plow trucks were filled with salt and sand to help keep roads clear Thursday. But highway officials are telling people that the best thing to do is stay off the roads.

The potential blizzard comes with more than just snow.

Meteorologist Shiri Spear says damaging winds and the bitter cold could lead to some major flooding and widespread power outages.

In Boston, Mayor Marty Walsh said the city is taking steps to keep people safe during the storm, including closing city schools and implementing a parking ban that goes into effect Thursday at 7 a.m.

Walsh also told emergency medical staff that the city will arrange rides to and from work to keep the streets clear for plows, and to keep everyone safe.

In Worcester, the Public Works Department put a parking pan into effect overnight into Thursday with the hopes of keeping parked cars off the roads so plows can keep up with the heavy snowfall expected Thursday morning.

Statewide, the Commonwealth's transportation secretary said MassDOT has 4,000 or more pieces of snow-removal equipment at the ready.

Gov. Charlie Baker's message was clear -- Don't travel if you don't need to!

"Snow-covered roads, high winds and the fact that this storm will bring two to three inches of snow per hour, that will make driving hazardout," Baker said. "We are urging the public to please stay off the roads (Thursday) unless absolutely necessary and to use public transportation."

Wednesday, 11:30 p.m.

Along the coasts, officials are particularly concerned about the impact. In Scituate, citizens are anticipating flooding. In Lynn, the city said there is a possibility for widespread outages, with delayed restoration.

Meanwhile, crews around the state are salting and sanding the roads to prepare for the storm.

Wednesday, 10 p.m.:

More than 450 school districts are closed for Thursday. Full school closings list here.

To go along with that, Logan Airport is already dealing with hundreds of flight cancelations. Cots are set to go in the baggage area for those who have to wait out the storm at the airport as they wait for new flights.

Wednesday, 5 p.m.

The New England Aquarium will be closed Thursday.

MBTA / Commuter Rail:

The Commuter Rail will be operating on a reduced schedule, meaning some normal weekday trains will not run. For an updated list visit the Commuter Rail website or app.

On the MBTA, most lines will be operating on a regular weekday schedule, however shuttle buses will replace Mattapan Trolley service. Buses will also operate on a normal schedule.

Riders on all forms of public transit should be prepared for delays.

Wednesday, 3:44 p.m.

The looming snowstorm is putting a damper on state legislative activities in some New England states.

Rhode Island's General Assembly canceled Thursday's planned session. In Connecticut, the House of Representatives has decided to meet on Friday instead of Thursday to vote on a plan to restore funding to a program that helps needy seniors pay their Medicare expenses.

Democratic Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has activated the state's Emergency Operations Center, beginning at 6 a.m. on Thursday, to monitor storm conditions across the state and coordinate any needed support.

Democratic Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo plans to discuss storm preparedness Wednesday at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency.

Providence, Rhode Island, is expected to get about 10 inches (25 centimeters) of snow, coupled with high winds.

Wednesday, 3:15 p.m.

Communities across New England are announcing school closures and on-street parking bans in anticipation of a major snowstorm expected to hit the region.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Wednesday that the city's public schools will close Thursday because the storm that could bring a foot or more of snow to the city.

Walsh also asked people to stay off the streets to make it easier for plows to clear them, and urged people to work from home if possible.

The storm is expected to bring strong, damaging winds, power outages, coastal flooding and hazardous travel conditions.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday that state emergency management officials were in close contact with weather forecasters trying to pinpoint the track of the storm.

Wednesday: 3:00 p.m.:

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced the city's school would be closed on Thursday.

A parking ban in the city was also expected to go into place sometime Thursday as a nor'easter will likely dump more than a foot of snow on the city.

You can find more information about parking bans here. Check the school closings list here.

Wednesday, 1:31 p.m.:

Peter Pan Bus Lines has canceled all service North of New York City due to the anticipated inclement weather for Thursday January 4, 2018.

Wednesday, 11 a.m.:

The bitter cold that has gripped the Northeast for the past week is giving way -briefly at least - to a monster snowstorm with screaming winds that could drop more than a foot of snow in some areas.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Thursday that extends from Block Island, Rhode Island, all the way north to coastal New Hampshire and Maine. Most of the rest of southern New England is under a winter storm watch.

The storm is expected to bring strong, damaging winds, power outages, coastal flooding and hazardous travel conditions.

The weather service says Boston is expected to get 11 inches of snow with up to 14 inches possible. Inland areas are expected to get less.

Frigid temperatures are forecast to return Friday.

Wednesday, 10 a.m.:

The heaviest snow is expected to fall Thursday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

PHOTOS: Hour by hour radar: What time does snow arrive in your town?

Eastern Massachusetts is under a Blizzard Warning. 10" or more of snow is expected, along with gusts 50+ MPH.

A Coastal Flood Warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday. Coastal flooding is expected on the South Shore and Cape Cod - and 10-20 foot waves could cause beach erosion on the outer Cape and Nantucket.

Wednesday, 4 a.m.:

Tomorrow's storm continues to shift a little closer, causing a stronger storm.

This morning Meteorologist Shiri Spear expanded the area that is anticipated to be hardest-hit from this storm. Shiri also said it's possible for the storm to reach near-blizzard conditions.

A Winter Storm Warning and a Blizzard Warning have been issued for the storm.

The biggest concerns continue to be low visibility during the height of the storm, and powerful winds that could knock out power for many.

Bitter cold and dangerous wind chills will follow the storm, which could cause extended issues into the weekend.

Tuesday, 9 p.m.:

Futurecast shows Thursday's storm starting before the morning commute and continuing through the evening commute and later.

Tomorrow our team will be working around the clock to help you get ready. What questions do you have? Tweet them to @boston25, @ShiriSpear & @KevinBoston25 and we'll try our best to answer them.

6 p.m.:

Boston 25 News reporters were across the State Tuesday afternoon looking at the impacts of the coldest stretch of weather in 100 years.

Kerry Kavanaugh spoke to homeless people and organizers of the Pine Street Inn who are doing everything they can to keep people off the street.

In Plymouth, Litsa Pappas spoke to a woman who is using her free time to knit hats and leave them available for free in public.

After some classrooms at Lowell High School measured temperatures in the 40s Tuesday, school officials decided to close the building Wednesday.

Finally, Christine McCarthy is in Salem where a woman was caught on video leaving a dog outside an animal shelter as temperatures were in the single digits. Tune in to Boston 25 News at 10 for a full report.

4 p.m.:

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch beginning late Wednesday and continuing through the day on Thursday for an area stretching from coastal Maine to eastern Connecticut.

A coastal flood watch has also been issued for Thursday.

Boston 25 Chief Meteorologist Kevin Lemanowicz says up to a foot of snow could fall along the South Shore of Massachusetts with strong winds and blizzard conditions possible at the height of the storm.

The storm approaches as the region continues to deal with the dangerous cold snap, with temperature readings again in the teens or single digits on Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Cox Media Group