Record-Breaking Blizzard: Worcester picks up nearly 2 feet of snow

BOSTON — Here we go again! The third nor'easter in about three weeks is dropping snow across Massachusetts, and before all is said and done more than 20 inches could fall in some areas. This story will be updated throughout the storm with the latest information at the top.

Wednesday, 10 a.m.:

Some of the highest snow totals from Tuesday’s storm were in central Massachusetts where some of the cities and towns there waking up to two feet of snow.

Worcester Airport measured 21.8 inches of snow, and roads in the city are starting to look better than just 24 hours ago.

Worcester is a city of hills, and several smaller streets remain snow covered so officials decided to keep schools closed for a second day, and a parking ban remains in effect until all streets are cleared.

Luckily there are no reports of power outages in the city.

Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.:

Wind gusts topped 60 mph on the South Shore during the height of Tuesday’s blizzard, and that caused hundreds of trees and power lines to be brought down.

Like many areas of the South Shore, power outages are still a major concern as thousands remain in the dark with temperature hovering around freezing.

Blowing and drifting snow Tuesday, combined with an earlier rain to start, made it all the more challenging for crews to keep up with calls for assistance.

“We want to make everything as safe as possible,” Shawn Waldrip, of Eversource, said. “That’s our primary mission to clear wires. To make sure people don’t get too close and that’s what we’re out doing (Wednesday).”

Support crews from as far north as Canada and as far south as Louisiana, plus Michigan and Ohio, are just places sending help to the Commonwealth.

Wednesday 9 a.m.:

Residents from the North Shore to the South Shore, and from Boston to Worcester all woke up Wednesday morning to dig out from a record-breaking blizzard.

More than 2,500 crews were out on the roads overnight to clear snow and ice, and despite that massive effort, people are being advised to give themselves extra time during the morning commute.

Parts of Cape Cod received more than a foot of snow, but it was the wind that caused major issues.

On Wednesday morning snow and ice still coated power lines and street lights, and powerful wind brought down trees and wires all across the Cape.

Emergency shelters are open in some communities for anyone who may need them to stay warm until power is restored.

Wednesday, 7:30 a.m.:

At the height of Tuesday's nor'easter, more than 200,000 power outages were reported across the state, but crews have been working hard to get the electricity turned back on.

“As of 6:30 a.m., the outages are still 140,000 without power,” Chris Besse, of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, said. “The number (Tuesday) was in the mid-200,000s, so some significant progress has been made.”

Besse said hundreds of utility crews were staged and ready to go Tuesday, and as the storm died down overnight they were able to get out and start restoring power.

That also gave officials a better look at damage caused by the storm.

MEMA worked with cities and towns, particularly in the southeastern part of the state, to open emergency shelters where people could sleep, as well as warming centers.

Besse said about 100 people used shelters to sleep Tuesday night, and anyone wishing to learn more information about shelters or warming centers are advised to call local officials.

Wednesday, 6:30 a.m.:

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has been working around-the-clock to get tracks and platforms clear in time for the Wednesday morning commute.

Speaking on Boston 25 Morning News, Jeff Gonneville, of the MBTA, said normal service is expected for commuters.

“Hundreds of employees and our contractors worked overnight to clear and prepare over 500 miles of our right of way, and over 100 parking lots that we have across our entire network, all station platforms, stairwells and vehicles,” he said.

He said only one minor delay was reported on the Red Line Wednesday morning, but that should be resolved “very quickly.”

Wednesday, 5 a.m.:

The clean-up from Tuesday’s record-breaking blizzard continues, and more than 100,000 remain in the dark.

For the third time in the past few weeks, crews have been working hard to clear snow from roads and restore power to those who lost electricity at the height of the storm.

This time, though, the South Shore and Cape Cod received the worst of it.

And while crews continue to restore power, hundreds of schools across the Commonwealth will be closed again Wednesday, or will open late to give crews more time to clear snow.

Tuesday: 10:30 p.m.:

The bulk of the snow is over for this storm, but a few more bands overnight could drop several inches across southern New Hampshire and parts of Massachusetts.

Many schools, including Boston and Worcester, will be closed Wednesday, other cities and towns have plans to open on a delay.

Some of the snow could linger through the morning commute, making it slow going for drivers who need to be at work.

Boston 25 News reporters were across Massachusetts Tuesday night, below you will find the reports they filed.

Tuesday: 8: 30 p.m.:

Snowfall totals are climbing as the third powerful nor'easter in two weeks pounds the region.

In New Hampshire, the National Weather Service says 25 inches of snow was reported Tuesday evening near Derry. Franklin, Massachusetts, has received 23 inches.

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses are still without power.

Many school districts across New England will be closed for a second day on Wednesday as the region begins to dig out.

Tuesday, 6:25 p.m.: MassDOT announced that the speed limit on I-90 is now 40 mph from the New York border to the interchange at 11A in Westborough. 11A to Boston remains at 20 mph.

Tuesday, 5:15 p.m.: Worcester Public Schools has canceled class for Wednesday. Check more closings here.

Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.: Mayor Marty Walsh announced Boston Public Schools will be closed again on Wednesday. The snow emergency, parking bans are still in effect and crews are ticketing cars.

Walsh also spoke of the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade which is set to take place this Sunday in South Boston:

"We’re looking ahead a little bit to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Evacuation parade. No decisions have been made yet, but it is going to be very difficult I think to have the route that winds through South Boston because of all the snow that we’re going to have. So we’re going to make a determination a little later on what to do with Sunday, whether we have the parade or cancel the parade. We’ll play it by ear and see as we go through the next few days to see how it goes. But we still have a lot of work to do as far as removal of snow.”

Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.: Boston 25 News reporters are spread out across the state. Below you will find some of our reports from the past two hours.

Tuesday, 2:00 p.m.: Marshfield and Martha's Vineyard have been added to the growing list of confirmed blizzards.

Tuesday, 1:15 p.m.: More than 200,000 power outages have been reported across the state.

Tuesday, 12:30 p.m.: It is officially a Blizzard in Boston, adding to the current list of Falmouth, Plymouth and Hyannis.

Tuesday, 12:15 p.m.:

Governor Charlie Baker and state officials gave an update on the current conditions. They reminded people to stay off the roads so crews could continue clearing roadways. Any downed power lines should be reported to 911.

MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack said the MBTA has run, and will continue to run on a limited schedule. Logan Airport is open Tuesday, but hundreds of flights have been canceled so far. Call to check on your flight.

Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.:

It's official! A blizzard has been confirmed in Hyannis, Falmouth and Plymouth, the National Weather Service said Tuesday morning.

Tuesday, 10 a.m.:

Reports of power outages have been on the rise all morning, and will continue to do so as a powerful nor’easter drops heavy, wet snow across the area.

As of 11 a.m., 155,551 outages have been reported.

Trees and wires have been brought down in several cities and towns, but mostly in the southeastern part of the state.

Tuesday, 9:45 a.m.:

Hundreds of flights into and out of Logan International Airport were canceled Tuesday so crews can work to clear runways.

“There are no airplanes here,” Massport Aviation Director Ed Freni said. “It’s to our advantage as far as our operations are concerned. We can keep the airfield clean and safe and ready when the airlines bring their airplanes in.”

Freni said two flights were able to land at Logan early Tuesday morning. They were turned and moved outbound so the airport will be quiet until at least Tuesday evening.

The hope is that once the storm winds down Tuesday night airlines will bring in several aircraft to help move stranded passengers out of Boston.

But, Freni said, always check with your airline before heading to the airport.

Tuesday, 9 a.m.:

Reports of power outages are on the rise as another major nor’easter continues to dump heavy, wet snow across the state.

As of 9 a.m., MEMA was reported 42,465 outages.

Cohasset has the most outages in the state with 2,155 customer affected. That’s about 56 percent of the town.

Tuesday, 8 a.m.:

Massachusetts State Police say the Mass Pike was closed eastbound because a tandem tractor-trailer jackknifed at the 87 mile-marker in Charlton Tuesday morning.

It's unknown if anyone was injured.

The highway reopened just before 9 a.m.

Speed has been reduced to 40 mph on the Mass Pike from the New York border to Weston.

Tuesday 7:30 a.m.:

The Commuter Rail is operating on an “extremely reduced schedule” Tuesday, and those who rely on the MBTA are advised to plan ahead and allow for extra time as another major nor’easter impacts our area.

INFO: Live Traffic Conditions | MassDOT | MBTA | Logan Airport | Amtrak

“What that means is that we’re running about 50 percent of our typical weekday schedule,” Jeff Gonneville, the MBTA Deputy General Manager, said. “For the most part, our inbound/outbound trains are running about once every hour, which again, is about 50 percent of what we would typically run on a typical weekday at this time.

He said all MBTA customers, no matter what which mode of transportation is being used, should check the MBTA's website to check for service alerts or delays on lines or services.

Tuesday, 7 a.m.:

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh declared a snow emergency Monday in advance of another major nor’easter that will impact the area until at least Tuesday night.

A parking ban is in effect, and residents have 48 hours to use space savers after the emergency has ended.

“We have a lot of people paying attention to what’s happening,” Walsh told Boston 25 News Tuesday morning. “We’re asking people today as the day goes on to help their neighbors, and make sure they go out there and shovel a couple of times, because we’re going to get a large amount of snow pretty fast here.”

School was also canceled in the city on Tuesday.

Walsh said about 800 pieces of snow removal equipment are out on the roads, and he is asking residents to stay home if possible.

Tuesday 5 a.m.:

If you can stay home from work Tuesday, state and local officials are urging you to do so and stay off the roads.

Already there are more than 2,100 crews fanned out across the Commonwealth working to treat and clear roads as this most recent nor’easter gets underway.

MassDOT says the speed limit on the Mass Pike from the New York border to Ludlow has been lowered to 40 mph.

Conditions are expected to rapidly deteriorate and roads will become dangerous until crews can completely treat roads and highways.

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INFO: Live Traffic Conditions | MassDOT | MBTA | Logan Airport | Amtrak

Tuesday, 4 a.m.:

A blizzard warning was expanded overnight to include the Boston area as another nor’easter begins to drop snow across Massachusetts.

Wind gusts higher than 50 mph are expected, and that will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow.

Forecasters say significant drifting is likely, and when the storm finally begins to wind down some areas could see up to 20 inches of snow.

The third nor’easter in about three weeks is dropping snow across Massachusetts, and the potential blizzard conditions will make for extremely low visibility on the roads.

The city of Boston declared a snow emergency Monday, and city officials closed schools Tuesday. A parking ban is also in effect, and city employees were urged to stay home.

Monday, 10:30 p.m.:

Strong winds in Plymouth on Monday night were already showing signs of an incoming storm.

Residents who were just recovering from the last two nor'easters raced to get their generators and snow blowers repaired in advance of the expected one-to-two feet of snow.

DPW Director Jonathan Beder said his crews are prepared to keep roads clear.

"Right now our forecast is 12 to 18 inches - it's going to be a long duration storm through Wednesday, so we are ready to go," said Beder.

Monday, 10:00 p.m.:

Gloucester residents brace for another nor'easter, hoping this time the damage isn't as bad.

"I'm tired of it by now, I'm expecting one of two more storms before March is over," said Darlene Justesen.

Eight tide cycles in a row have played a role in tearing up the shoreline through the 60 miles of coastline in Gloucester and in much of the North Shore coast.

INFO: Live Traffic Conditions | MassDOT | MBTA | Logan Airport | Amtrak

"Last storm was the winds, now we are hoping we don't get crushed by the snow again," said Don Seitzinger.

Monday, 9:30 p.m.:

With more than a foot of snow likely in the Merrimack Valley, Lowell DPW 2nd shift watchman Jeffrey Surprenant is expecting crews to be working for the next 24 to 36 hours.

"Just because it stops snowing it doesn't mean we're done, we have to keep going - trying to get the schools open is our priority," said Surprenant.

Residents in Lowell were stocking up not only on food and flashlights but also in salt and other snow clearing equipment.

Nearly 80,000 people in the greater Lowell area lost power during the last storm, and many are preparing to lose electricity this time around as well.

Monday, 9:00 p.m.:

New Englanders headed to the grocery stores on Monday in preparation to the storm.

Items such as batteries, flashlights, bread and milk were flying off the shelves today as most people will likely be staying indoors and avoiding the roads tomorrow.

"Can work from home, send the kids to the babysitter and kind of enjoy a nice snow day," said Ethan Phillips. "Getting food for dinner tomorrow, getting ice cream for my pregnant wife and making sure we have everything we need tomorrow - it will be difficult to fulfill the cravings tomorrow."

Monday, 6:30 p.m.: 

Gov. Baker and other state officials just held a news conference asking the public to avoid driving all day Tomorrow and encouraging employers to let people work from home.

MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack said she expects the MBTA to run on an "extremely reduced" schedule and the Commuter Rail to run on a weekend like schedule. Both systems are likely to experience delays due to the 12+ inches of snow expected in and around Boston.

INFO: MassDOT | MBTA | Logan Airport | Amtrak

Monday, 3:30 p.m.: 

Mayor Marty Walsh announced a storm emergency will be enacted in the city of Boston on Monday night at 7 p.m., meaning a parking ban will also be in effect as of that point in time until the city calls it off.

Walsh also announced the city will deploy about 700 pieces of equipment on the streets in order to make sure roads remain clear. The city has 26,000 tons of salt ready for the roads.

This is the fourth snow day for Boston Public Schools and Mayor Walsh is urging private companies to keep their workers home too.

"This is a major storm, the snow is gonna fall very quickly," said Mayor Walsh. "Only emergency personnel will be reporting to work here in the city of Boston. We're busy right now getting roads ready before the storm hits."

Monday, 3:00 p.m.:

The MBTA is making some changes on their Tuesday schedule in anticipation of the nor'easter.

The MBTA Commuter Rail will be operating on an "extremely reduced schedule" on all lines for the duration of their Tuesday service.

Any changes to commuter rail train times will be available online at mbta.com and via the commuter rail app.

The Red, Orange, Blue and Green lines will operate with reduced frequency, meaning seven to ten minutes between trains. The Wollaston bus shuttle will continue to connect North Quincy, Wollaston and Quincy Center normally.

The Mattapan Trolley Line will be replaced with shuttle buses all day in an effort to protect 70-year-old trolley cars from weather-related damages.

All ferry service will be suspended for the entire day on Tuesday.

Buses will operate on a regular weekday schedule but some routes may be shifted to fit their designated snow routes. More information on this can be found at mbta.com/winter.

Monday, 2:30 p.m.: 

Cities and towns have begun to announce parking bans ahead of tomorrow's storm.

The City of Cambridge announced a parking ban will be in effect starting Monday at 11 p.m. on streets that are signed "no parking during a snow emergency".

Free parking will be available for residents starting at 6 p.m. on Monday; a comprehensive list of places that will allow free parking can be found at CambridgeMA.gov/Snow.

In Worcester, a parking ban will be in effect starting at 8 p.m. on Monday.

Parking will be banned on both sides of main arteries, bus routes, and streets in the downtown area. Parking will only be allowed on the odd numbered side of all other streets unless otherwise posted.

Monday, 2 p.m.:

MassDOT says the HOV Lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will be closed Tuesday.

Monday, 12 p.m.:

A BLIZZARD WARNING was issued for eastern Essex County, Plymouth County and Barnstable County Monday afternoon.

The nor'easter making its way up the coast is expected to bring white out conditions, blowing/drifting snow and up to 2 inches of snowfall per hour through Tuesday.

MORE: Here's what a blizzard looks like

Monday, 11 a.m.:

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is again advising customers to plan ahead and allow for additional travel time Tuesday due to the approaching nor'easter.

Trolley service on the Mattapan Line will be replaced with buses Tuesday, the MBTA said.

Customers are also encouraged to use caution on platforms and bus stops to stay safe during the blizzard-like conditions.

Customers are urged to check with the MBTA for any delays or cancelations.

Monday 9 a.m.:

INFO: MassDOT | MBTA | Logan Airport | Amtrak

Some parts of eastern Massachusetts, including the Boston area, could see more than a foot of snow Tuesday, and Meteorologist Shiri Spear said she won’t be surprised if blizzard warnings are issued later Monday.

Spear said another round of strong wind is expected all day Tuesday after the third nor’easter in about three weeks moves into our area

Main concerns are wind damage, power outages and poor visibility with blowing snow.

Monday, 7 a.m.:

Boston is in the “jackpot” zone for the next nor’easter, and the city is preparing for the possibility for more than a foot of snow.

Those snow totals could pose more problems for the MBTA.

The first two nor’easters already hurt the T and Commuter Rail with falling trees, forcing the repair of several damaged train sets.

The power outages also forced the T to run multiple lines on back-up generators for days.

And the T is far from the only one thinking about back-up power at this point as resident have started stocking up on supplies.

“I just learned about the forecast. I was like, ‘Holy moly,’” Tram Le said. “I guess we can’t wait until the end of the season to get a generator. We have to get it now.”

Monday, 6 a.m.:

On the South Shore, residents are still cleaning up from the previous two storms as they prepare for the third one.

Marshfield was one of the hardest-hit places after the previous nor’easter, and officials have been working hard to help families affected by either power outages, or the major coastal flooding.

For many along the South Shore, the last nor’easter was devastating.

“It’d hard to get back into life,” Allison, of Scituate, said. “This was unbelievable. I will never forget this storm.”

The Red Cross is boosting its own resources, bringing in staff from out of state and getting ready to open new shelters with the potential for more than a foot of snow.

Monday, 5 a.m.:

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Make the most of the quiet weather now, because we’re less than 24 hours away from the third nor’easter in three weeks.

Winter storm warnings were expanded to include all of Massachusetts just before 3 a.m. Monday. The warnings also include all of Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Most of Maine and southern Vermont are also included.

INFO: MassDOT | MBTA | Logan Airport | Amtrak

“We’re expecting significant snow between (Monday night) and (Tuesday night),” StormTracker Meteorologist Shiri Spear said. “It’s going to be a most of the day Tuesday storm.”

Snow is expected to begin moving into the area late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, and by the time the storm starts to wind down Tuesday night, most areas in eastern Massachusetts could see more than a foot.

“The big thing with this upcoming storm is going to be the snow and the wind,” Spear said. “In fact, when you put them together, there’s the potential here between the heavy snow and the strong gusty winds, that we might have some near-blizzard conditions through the day on Tuesday.”

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