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.
Brant Rock, Marshfield @BOS25Weather @boston25 pic.twitter.com/psU3eO4fxc
— PhotogVernon (@vernonalex02) February 2, 2021
I-93 Exit 14 to Morrissey Blvd has been closed due to the flooding.
Route 93 north Exit 14 ramp to Morrissey is now closed, as is Morrissey at Freeport St because of flooding. https://t.co/iCs2QOOmkZ
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) February 2, 2021
Pictures shared with Boston 25 News also showed flooding down by the Aquarium.
NOW: Flooding in #Boston by the Aquarium after today's high tide.
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 2, 2021
The entire coastline of Mass. is under a flood advisory until 4 p.m. --> https://t.co/NIhoWysUpm pic.twitter.com/Anwd1gP5Hd
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.
Natural gas customers: if you're out shoveling or snow blowing, don't forget to carefully clear your vents & gas meters. This prevents equipment malfunctions or CO poisoning. If you smell gas, leave & call us 800-592-2000 or 800-525-8222 (former Columbia Gas customers) or 9-1-1. pic.twitter.com/VqQrb2Dofc
— Eversource MA (@EversourceMA) February 2, 2021
9:13 a.m.: More than 4,600 customers are without power in Massachusetts.
Just over 4,600 customers without power in MA.#Salisbury is still tops on list with 1,063 of them followed by #Newbury, #Abington, #Brookline and #Newburyport@boston25 pic.twitter.com/zCVTUQ4Pu9
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) February 2, 2021
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:
“This storm is putting out way more than we can keep up with.”
— Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) February 2, 2021
Approaching a foot and a half of #snow in #Andover this morning! Plow drivers have been working nonstop ❄️@boston25 pic.twitter.com/ovvjhXxkNc
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.
Some jackpot towns! @boston25 pic.twitter.com/MwiW3FjT6j
— Jason Brewer (@JBrewerBoston25) February 2, 2021
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:
Totals along the immediate coast fell flat, but we're digging out of over a foot of snow inland! pic.twitter.com/OmzKoknjyD
— Shiri Spear (@ShiriSpear) February 2, 2021
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.
Current conditions along the Mass Pike in Framingham: a fine wet snow, but the plows are keeping the highway mostly clear. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/Fsl1ve53KF
— Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) February 2, 2021
Plows are still working nonstop in #Andover as the #snow continues to fall ❄️.
— Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) February 2, 2021
Live team #storm coverage starts EARLY this morning at 4:30 AM on @boston25. Join us! pic.twitter.com/bMFkHHpq7p
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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.
7pm snow totals, still more to come! pic.twitter.com/ABLlrK01GC
— Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 2, 2021
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.
UPDATED SNOW MAP: We appreciate all of the updates coming in, keep sending them our way! Warmer temperatures are nosing in along the coast, so we are seeing mainly rain here. Away from the coast, significant snow continues to fall. @kevinboston25 pic.twitter.com/I7QL4Jn2wo
— Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 1, 2021
Current view on Hanover St in North End. Looks like snow coming down... feels like rain! #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/2vMkGERm93
— Drew Karedes (@DrewKaredes) February 1, 2021
A small distance will make a big difference with snowfall totals tonight. Beverly is reporting rain right now, but in North Reading (7 miles away) we have snow. pic.twitter.com/8rzrKcpIKj
— Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 1, 2021
5:30 p.m.: Travel conditions are beginning to be at their worst during tonight’s stretch of the storm.
TRAVEL CONDITIONS: We are facing the worst of the storm right now until later tonight. Whether you are dealing with heavy snow right now or rain, road conditions are still not ideal. We expect improvements as the day goes on tomorrow though! pic.twitter.com/eQiClFTtfU
— Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 1, 2021
I’ve gone up and down 495. Just hit Hopkinton and this is the worst stretch so far @boston25 pic.twitter.com/bUDok4zxI1
— JJ Murphy (@JJMurphyBOS25) February 1, 2021
Some big snowflakes ❄️ now coming down in Leominster as the night goes on - visibility gets worse 🌨 Try to stay off the roads if you can - to let plows do their job tonight
— Litsa Pappas (@LitsaPappas) February 1, 2021
Watch @boston25 at 6 for updates! pic.twitter.com/HvI6rAoUsc
4:15 p.m.: Visibility dropping outside as snow has started falling in heavier bursts that are moving in from the south.
The visibility is dropping as heavier bursts of snow are moving in from the south. Be careful if you have to be out on the roads this evening! pic.twitter.com/x8Sg943iKB
— Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 1, 2021
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.
We have cut back on totals a bit at the coast with all the rain reports coming in to me and @vickigrafwx We are going to wait a couple hours for darkness and cooling to see if we need to push back even further west of Boston. Full coverage starts at 4 @boston25 pic.twitter.com/Z3aAnSnXFj
— Kevin Lemanowicz (@KevinBoston25) February 1, 2021
Additionally, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reported that there are currently 1,359 people without power in Mass.
Currently 1,359 without power in MA pic.twitter.com/U7j5agIUdN
— Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 1, 2021
3:30 p.m.: The Public Garden is already starting to look like a winter wonderland.
There's just something about a snow-covered Public Garden! ❄️
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 1, 2021
Show us your pictures and they may end up on TV --> https://t.co/88dLq0kww4 pic.twitter.com/dme9axKVre
2:15 p.m.: Snow has started falling across the commonwealth, here’s a look at the current snow totals.
Just a few snow reports coming in so far, a long way to go still with this storm! I'll have a quick update coming up on @boston25 at 2pm. pic.twitter.com/5OVMnIrZv6
— Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 1, 2021
Snow and rain moving through right now. What does it look like where you live? pic.twitter.com/VyhAqn89zC
— Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 1, 2021
1 p.m.:
The tide is high & I’m holding on!
— Capturegirl (@jenyp) February 1, 2021
Waves are building here in Plymouth as the Nor’easter moves in.#Boston25#Boston25Weather pic.twitter.com/kVeM8baDzh
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.
Can see where the snow is settling in from south to north. Will be a SLOW pm drive. @boston 25 pic.twitter.com/evjDLJxg30
— Jason Brewer (@JBrewerBoston25) February 1, 2021
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.
Oh, that rain/snow line... we will be watching and adjusting all day, but takeaway is clear- highest totals away from the coast with variable conditions in southeast MA. I'll be taking the hand-off along with @VickiGrafWX at 1p.m. Stay safe! https://t.co/B9oQvGAzN2
— Kevin Lemanowicz (@KevinBoston25) February 1, 2021
10:40 a.m.: There’s HIGH WIND WARNING for the Cape and Islands through Monday night.
*HIGH WIND WARNING* in effect this afternoon/evening. Gusts 50-60mph likely. Charge phones now. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/o6Fk2R4y3J
— Jason Brewer (@JBrewerBoston25) February 1, 2021
8:15 a.m.: Snow totals are starting to come in. Do you have any amount to share? Tweet to @ShiriSpear or @JBrewerBoston25.
First snow reports just coming in. Do you have a number to add? @boston25 pic.twitter.com/8trQLUWv8d
— Shiri Spear (@ShiriSpear) February 1, 2021
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.
#ALERT Monday 02/01/21 The High Speed HY-NA @ 9:05 and NA-HY @10:30 has been cancelled due to weather conditions.
— Hy-Line Cruises (@hylinecruises) February 1, 2021
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.
🚨 Due to the forecasted winter storm, @BostonSchools youth meal sites will only be open today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All @BCYFcenters meal sites are closed.
— City of Boston (@CityOfBoston) February 1, 2021
For meal site locations and more @BOSfoodaccess Boston Eats program info, visit: https://t.co/nqAXYcuqVX pic.twitter.com/FNMXyjePdK
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.
HAPPENING NOW: Plows and trucks are loading up with salt and preparing to treat the roads ahead of today’s #noreaster. @MassGovernor says there are 3,900 apparatus ready to clear the roads. We’ve got live team coverage ahead of the storm on @boston25! pic.twitter.com/uSkFj4QmRr
— Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) February 1, 2021
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.
For the safety of residents and staff, the #COVID19 vaccine clinic at the Reggie Lewis Center will not open tomorrow due to the storm. Appointments scheduled for 2/1 will automatically be rescheduled for 2/8.
— Boston Public Health (@HealthyBoston) February 1, 2021
UPDATE: Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury will not be opening tomorrow as vaccination site because of Nor’easter. All appointments rescheduled for Feb 8th #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/HPaAHTvNVt
— Drew Karedes (@DrewKaredes) February 1, 2021
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.
JUST IN - #Worcester announces parking ban for Monday, beginning at 2pm, ahead of projected snow storm. @boston25 https://t.co/s4xAuRj835
— Kirsten Glavin (@kirstenglavin) February 1, 2021
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.
A snow emergency will begin tomorrow at noon ahead of the forecasted winter storm. All of our residents and workers should take precautions on our roads and sidewalks, particularly during the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes. pic.twitter.com/uAh34oSPw8
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) January 31, 2021
We are asking residents and businesses to do their part by staying safe, shoveling their sidewalks and walkways, clearing catch basins and the area around fire hydrants, and offering help to your older neighbors and residents with disabilities.
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) January 31, 2021
“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.
All BPS school buildings will be closed Monday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 2.
— BostonPublicSchools (@BostonSchools) January 31, 2021
All @BostonSchools students will attend classes online for partial days that will end 2.5 hours earlier than regular dismissal. BPS meal sites are open Monday, 10am-2pm. https://t.co/egrMFL4Itv pic.twitter.com/q5hLqdAUyB
“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.
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Online Resources:
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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