Weather

Live updates: Flooding reported along Mass. coastline due to high tides

A winter storm is come and gone and brought upwards of more than a foot of snow to large parts of Massachusetts. Now, coastal flooding is a concern.


Live updates for Tuesday, Feb. 2:

3:30 p.m.: Coastal flooding causing issues due to today’s high tides.

I-93 Exit 14 to Morrissey Blvd has been closed due to the flooding.

Pictures shared with Boston 25 News also showed flooding down by the Aquarium.

10 a.m.: The February nor’easter brought with it 14 inches of snow to Worcester.

Overnight, the city had 348 pieces of snow removal equipment working to clear city streets. By morning, Worcester’s roads were all passable. A parking ban, declared at 8 a.m. Monday, no doubt helped plow operators keep the roads clear. That ban is in effect until further notice.

The city is reminding property owners and businesses that it is their responsibility to remove snow from adjacent sidewalks.

The substantial storm was a headache for many, but it did not give public school students a day off. Instead, remote learning kept public school children in class on what might typically be a snow day.

9:20 a.m.: Cambridge has lifted its snow emergency and parking ban.

9:13 a.m.: For natural gas customers, Eversource says it’s important to clear snow off of your vents and gas meters to prevent equipment malfunctions or carbon monoxide poisoning.

9:13 a.m.: More than 4,600 customers are without power in Massachusetts.

9 a.m.: Arlington lifted its snow emergency and parking ban.

7:40 a.m.: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh says the snow emergency and parking ban in Boston will end at noon. Residents parked in participating discounted lots and garages will have until 2 p.m. to move their cars before regular rates resume.

Residents can look up towed cars on the City of Boston’s online database, or by calling the Boston Transportation Department at (617) 635-3900 or the Boston Police Department at (617) 343-4629 to find out which tow company was used if the car was not towed by BTD.

7:35 a.m.: Plow drivers have been clearing roads since Monday afternoon and are still at it this morning:


6:33 a.m.: The snow is still falling, and snow totals are creeping up. Wilmington got about 20 inches, and Dracut, Burlington, North Andover, Fitchburg and Grafton have recorded 18 inches so far.

6 a.m.: Boston 25 News has team coverage across Massachusetts, covering the snow in some spots and rain in others.

5:35 a.m.: Just over 5,000 customers are without power, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency map, down from a high of about 19,000 Monday night. You can check power outages here.

5:20 a.m: Some spots saw over a foot while towns along the coast got only a few inches. Here’s the latest snow totals:

4:35 a.m.: The plows are out as snow continues to fall. Conditions on the roads are slippery, so take it slow this morning if you have to go out.

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Monday, Feb. 1:

Parking bans:

  • Worcester in effect at 8 a.m.
  • Lowell in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Stoneham in effect from noon on Monday through noon on Tuesday. No on-street parking is permitted. Vehicles interfering with snow removal are subject to being ticketed and towed, according to Stoneham Police.
  • Dudley in effect from noon on Monday through noon on Tuesday.
  • Braintree in effect at noon. Braintree Police said on-street parking is prohibited and to use Smith Beach, Sunset Lake and Golf Course lots as parking alternatives.
  • Lynn in effect at noon.
  • Chelmsford in effect from noon on Monday through noon on Tuesday. No parking on any public street, Chelmsford Police tweeted.
  • Cambridge in effect at 1 p.m. Vehicles parked on streets that are signed “no parking during a snow emergency” will be ticketed and towed, according to the city of Cambridge. Free parking is available at a number of facilities starting at 11 a.m.
  • Salisbury in effect at 1 p.m. when on-street parking is prohibited. No parking on North End Blvd until snow removal efforts are done, according to Salisbury Police. Parking in the municipal beach parking lots are available to town residents.
  • Arlington in effect at 1 p.m.
  • Newton in effect at 3 p.m. Vehicles parked on the street and in municipal lots are subject to being towed, Newton Police tweeted.
  • Newburyport in effect at 3 p.m.
  • Franklin in effect at 4 p.m. through Wednesday at noon.

8:15 p.m.: Downgrade to WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY along the north shore, Boston, western Plymouth County, and south coastal Mass.

7:00 p.m.: Snow totals have reached up to 8″ in West Natick, with more snow on the way throughout the night.

6:00 p.m.: Warmer temperatures around the Mass. coastline is prompting some of the precipitation to turn to rain and slush along the coasts north and south of Boston as well as on Cape Cod and the Islands.

5:30 p.m.: Travel conditions are beginning to be at their worst during tonight’s stretch of the storm.

4:15 p.m.: Visibility dropping outside as snow has started falling in heavier bursts that are moving in from the south.

4:00 p.m.: Our Boston 25 meteorologists have updated the predicted snow totals map as reports of rain along some parts of the coast have rolled in.

Additionally, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reported that there are currently 1,359 people without power in Mass.

3:30 p.m.: The Public Garden is already starting to look like a winter wonderland.

2:15 p.m.: Snow has started falling across the commonwealth, here’s a look at the current snow totals.

1 p.m.:

11 a.m.: Drive safe on the roads and don’t crowd the plow. Visibility will be LOW as the snow intensifies Monday afternoon into the evening.

10:55 a.m.: Boston 25 Chief Meteorologist Kevin Lemanowicz says the highest snow totals will be away from the coast. The weather team is tracking the Nor’easter nonstop.

10:40 a.m.: There’s HIGH WIND WARNING for the Cape and Islands through Monday night.

8:15 a.m.: Snow totals are starting to come in. Do you have any amount to share? Tweet to @ShiriSpear or @JBrewerBoston25.

8:12 a.m.: Hy-Line Cruises has cancelled numerous high speed trips Monday morning, including the Hyannis to Nantucket 7:30 a.m. and Nantucket to Hyannis 8:55 a.m. trips.

8 a.m.: Boston Public Schools youth meal sites will be open today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the city of Boston announced in a tweet. All Boston Centers for Youth & Families meal sites are closed.

7:50 a.m.: Massachusetts Courts will close at 1 p.m., according to Mass.gov.

5:30 a.m.: 3,900 pieces of equipment, including plows and trucks, are ready to move in preparation for today’s Nor’easter, according to Gov. Charlie Baker. This morning in Weston, plows and trucks have been loading up with salt and prepping to treat the roads.

Sunday. Jan. 31:

10:30 p.m.: Central Mass. is prepping for the looming winter storm as the region is slated to see 9+ inches of snow starting Monday. Boston 25 News reporter Kirsten Glavin has the full report from Hudson.

10:15 p.m.: The Reggie Lewis Center’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic will not be open Monday as previously announced. Instead, all those with appointments scheduled will have them rescheduled for next Monday, February 8.

9:50 p.m.: The Registry of Motor Vehicles will be closed at noon on Monday as the Baker-Polito administration announced that all non-essential state employees will not report to their workplaces tomorrow due to the upcoming winter storm.

8:00 p.m.: The City of Worcester has announced a parking ban that will go into effect starting 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon in preparation for the early-week winter storm.

6:10 p.m.: The City of Boston has declared a snow emergency that is set to take place Monday at 12 p.m. throughout the city and will run through Tuesday afternoon.

“Residents are advised that a parking ban will take effect starting at noon [Monday], when vehicles parked on major roads and main arteries will start to be towed,” the city announced in a release Sunday night.

Additionally, Boston Public Schools will be fully remote on Monday and Tuesday as all school buildings in the district will be closed. There will be early dismissals for both days.

“In-person learning will resume on Thursday, February 4, 2021,” the city said in its release.

Also, city-sponsored COVID-19 testing at the Anna M. Cole Community Center in Jamaica Plain will be closed on Monday due to the upcoming storm. However, the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Reggie Lewis Center at Roxbury Community College will be open on Monday and Tuesday for those with appointments.


WATCH THE LATEST FORECAST FROM BOSTON 25 METEOROLOGISTS HERE:


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Follow our Boston 25 Meteorologists on Twitter for updates:

Kevin Lemanowicz | Shiri Spear | Jason Brewer | Vicki Graf


Stay Informed:

Utilize MEMA’s real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times.

Utilize MEMA’s live weather radar and forecasting tools.

MassDOT | MBTA | Logan Airport | Amtrak


Online Resources:

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency - on Facebook and Twitter

Mass211

Federal Emergency Management Agency

National Weather Service/Boston

National Weather Service/Albany, NY


Winter driving tips from MassDOT:

- Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights, even the hood and roof, before driving, (start with the tailpipe).

- Leave plenty of room for stopping

- Remember that the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.

- Use brakes carefully. Brake early. Brake correctly. It takes more time and distance to stop in adverse conditions.

- Bridge decks freeze first. Due to the difference in the exposure to air, the surface condition can be worse on a bridge than on the approach road.

- Exit ramps are an even greater challenge during the winter since they may have received less anti-icing material than the main line.

- Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows – stay back at least 200 feet and don’t pass on the right.

- Seat belts should be worn at all times – it’s the law.

- Most importantly please remember to slow down.


Additional snow content:

- Ice safety tips for safe winter fun

- What is wind chill and how can it hurt you?

- How and when to protect your pipes from freezing

- Winter weather: How to shovel, remove snow safely

- Here’s what to have in your snow emergency kit

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