City & Town Announcements (Below) – Check back for updates – cover photo from MBTA
News Release from State of Massachusetts & Links, posted below.
National Weather Service – 6 pm: Most recent snowfall observations across southern New England. If you don’t spot your report, no worries—our graphics are generated using a multitude of data points. The more reports we gather, the more accurate the map! Please continue submitting: inws.ncep.noaa.gov/report/
Town of Hamilton – Sunday afternoon update – The parking ban remains in effect. Several inches of snow fell this afternoon as part of a second round of the storm.
City of Salem – The snow emergency parking ban throughout the City of Salem ends at 12:00pm noon today, Jan. 7, 2024. Thank you for your patience during this storm. Please note that freezing conditions are expected into and overnight. Use caution tonight and tomorrow when driving or walking.
City of Lynn – Towed cars are located at the Centre Street Lot (behind the Western Ave. Fire Station) and can be retrieved until 10pm tonight. The tow lot will reopen at 7am Monday morning. Parking ban updated, details below
CIty of Peabody – A snow emergency parking ban has been issued for Peabody effective at 11pm this evening, Saturday, January 6th. Please remove parked cars from roadways to allow for safe and effective plow operations.
Salisbury Police – Just a friendly reminder about the winter parking ban that goes into effect at 6PM this evening due to the impending snow storm. Stay safe on the roads if you must travel.
City of Amesbury: For more info, visit amesburyma.gov and refer to the banner at the top of the page. Stay safe.
City of Beverly – Don’t forget to keep it clear: sidewalks, catch basins and fire hydrants!
City of Lynn
Town of Wenham – Electronic Waste, Metals and White Goods Collection Drop Off Canceled for 1/6/2024. Due to the unknown timing of the storm on Saturday, January 6th, the DPW is canceling this Saturday’s drop off. The next Recycling Event will be as scheduled on 2/3/2024.
Danvers DPW – With snowy weather in the forecast, this is a reminder to please remove all basketball hoops from the street. Removing basketball hoops creates an unobstructed path for crews during the clean-up of snow events. Please remove hoops to ensure proper snow removal on the streets.
Manchester-by-the-Sea – Due to the impending storm, a Winter Parking Ban will begin at 10 PM on Saturday, January 6 and until further notice. On street parking will be prohibited while the parking ban is in effect to allow DPW to safely clear roadways.
City of Salem – The tree bonfire = cancelled. WM will curbside pickup next week (put out by 7am – on trash day). Also bring trees to Castle Hill Park (4 Story Rd) until 1/31. Or drop @ Palmer Cove Community Garden (pc@salemcommunitygardens.org). Pls do NOT bring more trees to Dead Horse Beach.
AAA – Storm Information – Much of our region is out of practice: in some places, it’s been nearly two years since a winter storm has dropped more than six inches of snow. With forecasts showing the potential for significant snowfall throughout the Northeast this weekend, AAA is reminding motorists to brush up on best practices for winter driving, since their skills could be a bit rusty.
“With fewer opportunities to get behind the wheel in wintry conditions in recent years, many drivers will find themselves out of their element when they’re in the elements this weekend,” said Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “As we dust the cobwebs off our snow shovels, let’s brush up on our winter driving skills before the first flakes fall.”
AAA recommends the following tips while driving in snowy and icy conditions:
- Stay home. If you don’t have to leave the house, don’t. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.
- Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
- Increase your following distance. Allow at least five to six seconds of following distance between your vehicle and any vehicle in front of you. This space allows you time to stop safely if the other driver brakes suddenly.
- Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
- Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
- Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little momentum going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly. Don’t stop going up a hill unless you must.
Even though conditions can change on a moment’s notice, many drivers don’t carry an emergency kit for winter driving. AAA recommends always keeping the following items in your vehicle to handle whatever Mother Nature decides:
- Cell phone and car charger
- First-aid kit
- Blankets
- Drinking water/snacks for everyone in the car including pets
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Rags, paper towels or pre-moistened wipes
- Basic toolkit including duct tape and warning devices such as flares or reflectors
- Ice scraper/snow brush
- Jumper cables/jump pack
- Traction aid such as sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter
- Tarp, raincoat and gloves
- Shovel
Healey-Driscoll Administration Issues Safety Reminders Ahead of Anticipated Winter Storm
BOSTON – In anticipation of the season’s first accumulating snowfall, the Healey-Driscoll Administration invites Massachusetts residents to plan ahead and review storm safety tips. Information from the National Weather Service Boston Office indicates a winter storm will impact the region overnight Saturday through late Sunday afternoon, bringing the possibility of hazardous travel. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch beginning Saturday afternoon across much of the state, with the exception of the Cape and Islands. Widespread snowfall amounts of 6-12″ are forecast. With the heaviest precipitation expected Saturday night into Sunday morning, the administration encourages public preparedness.
“Although we don’t anticipate a record-breaking snowfall, our administration has been taking early steps to ensure we are prepared to keep the people of Massachusetts safe – and we encourage everyone to do the same,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Recognizing that we’re no strangers to snowy winters, I’m asking Massachusetts residents to take steps to protect yourselves and your loved ones by making sure your homes stay safely heated and traveling on roads with extra care. Please also take some time to check in on your neighbors to make sure everyone stays warm and safe.”
“While the details of this storm are still coming into focus, the Governor and I have been in close communication with our partners in government to address any impact on our cities and towns,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We appreciate essential frontline workers who are going above and beyond to ensure the state can safely function in weather events like this and ask members of the public to do their part in that effort this weekend.”
How Residents Can Prepare:
- Plan ahead and take care when traveling on the roads. Clear snow and ice from your vehicle’s windows, lights, hood, and roof before driving. Utilize safe winter driving practices, including leaving extra room for braking and stopping in slippery travel conditions. Don’t crowd the plow or maintenance vehicles. Stay back at least 200 feet and don’t pass on the right.
- Prepare for possible power outages. Fully charge your cellphone, laptop, and any essential electronic devices before the storm. Ensure you have extra batteries for medical equipment and assistive devices. Take stock of your emergency kit and ensure it includes seasonal supplies, such as extra winter clothing and blankets.
- Manually check your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors to make sure they work correctly and have fresh batteries. During and after the storm, check your outside fuel exhaust vents, making sure that they are not obstructed by snow or ice.
Additional tips on what to do before, during, and after a winter storm can be found at Mass.gov/Snow.
“MEMA is actively monitoring the forecast and coordinating with our partners at the National Weather Service,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “We are prepared to facilitate any requests for assistance that may arise from communities impacted by this winter storm.”
MassDOT
MassDOT is advising the public to plan ahead if traveling Saturday night through Sunday afternoon as snowfall in most regions will make for challenging driving conditions and poor visibility. MassDOT has made necessary preparations for snowplows and snow removal staff and will deploy equipment as necessary across the state. For real-time updates on roadway impacts, follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“With a severe winter storm approaching, we’re encouraging everyone to make preparations ahead of time to avoid unnecessary trips on the road,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “If you must travel during the storm, plan to allow for extra time, travel at reduced speeds, anticipate slippery conditions, and monitor MassDOT resources to stay updated on roadway conditions.”
For information on traffic conditions travelers are encouraged to:
- Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
- Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
MBTA
The MBTA and Keolis Boston are prepared for Sunday’s winter weather and will continue to coordinate with meteorological experts and other teams as necessary. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X (the site formerly known as Twitter) @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information. Riders can also visit the T’s Winter Travel Guide at mbta.com/winter.
- Subway: Regular weekend service will operate on subway lines on Sunday. Riders are reminded of the current Green Line shutdown from North Station to Babcock Street, Heath Street, and Kenmore. If necessary to accommodate winds and accumulated snowfall, Mattapan Line service may be replaced with shuttle bus service in order to protect the nearly 80-year-old trolleys from potential damage. Disruptions in service will be listed on T-Alerts and on X/Twitter @MBTA.
- Bus: Regular weekend bus service will operate on Sunday. If weather conditions worsen, some bus routes may operate on their Snow Routes and will be re-routed to avoid steep hills, tight corners, and narrow streets. The MBTA will post a T-Alert for each bus line that runs its Snow Route.
- Commuter Rail: All Commuter Rail lines will operate a regular Sunday schedule. Disruptions in service will be listed on T-Alerts and on X/Twitter @MBTA_CR and @MBTA_CR_Alerts.
- Ferry: All ferry services will operate regular Sunday schedules.
- The RIDE: RIDE services will be unaffected and will operate as planned.
While crews will be working to clear snow and ice throughout the system on Sunday, riders are asked to use caution on platforms and at bus stops.
The MBTA will operate non-passenger trains to assist in keeping tracks clear and to look for any trees or branches that pose a threat to overhead wires. Generators are deployed at key locations to mitigate the risk of potential power outages. MBTA emergency crews are on standby throughout the storm to respond to rail issues, issues affecting power systems, potential switch problems, and any flooding issues that may occur. Power crews will be on hand to inspect overhead wires on the Blue and Green lines for ice buildup on catenary wires. Crews will use ice cutters, installed on vehicles, to safely remove ice from impacting power lines. Increased staffing will be on-site throughout the duration of the weather event to respond to weather-related issues, and rail-borne snow-fighting equipment will be pre-deployed at key locations around the rapid transit network. The T also has contractors at the ready for snow clearing along key bus routes and T facility/employee parking, freeing up T personnel to concentrate on core system functions.
Regarding the Commuter Rail, the MBTA and Keolis have more than 1,000 pieces of snow fighting equipment, including snow blowers, salt trucks, plows, and other equipment, that are deployed across the Commuter Rail network ahead of storms. To mitigate risk impacts to rail infrastructure from snow and ice, Keolis also deploys specialized equipment across the network such as snow jets and switch heaters that help keep rail switches clear of ice and snow and properly functioning. Ahead of the storm these switch heaters will be activated to ensure normal flow of train traffic. During the storm, Keolis personnel clear snow, apply sand and salt to passenger areas and MBTA parking lots managed by Keolis, and responds to any incidents, such as downed trees.
Massport
Boston Logan International and Worcester Regional airports could see possible delays due to the storm. Passengers flying over the weekend should check with their airline for the most accurate information about flights and allow themselves extra time to get to and from the airports. Both airports are fully staffed with specialized snow removal equipment and will be prepared for the storm.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is monitoring the forecast and preparing its snow removal equipment for its roadways and properties in anticipation of a plowable event. With the potential combination of heavy wet snow and gusty winds near the rain/snow line, DCR is also preparing for potential for power outages and downed trees and will have emergency contracted saw crews staged in the Boston area on hand to assist as needed. The agency anticipates on activating its statewide storm center.
To accommodate for safe snow removal, DCR will delay opening all of its agency operated ice rinks as well as several visitor centers on Sunday till noon. The delayed opening will include the visitor centers at: Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord, Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, Lawrence Heritage State Park, Dunn State Park in Gardner, Wachusett Mountain State Reservation in Princeton, Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, Mount Greylock State Reservation in Lanesborough, Great Falls Discovery Center in Turner Falls, the Melnea A. Cass Recreational Complex in Roxbury, and Roxbury Heritage State Park, as well as the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center in Worcester.
Ahead of this week’s storm, DCR debuted a video on the agency’s efforts to reduce the amount of road salt that gets washed into Wachusett watershed reservoirs that provide water to nearly half of the state. These efforts – that include the use of liquid salt brine and salt use reduction grants provided to municipalities – cut down the amount of road salt used by 36% last year. Liquid salt brine – a mix of salt dissolved in water – serves as an anti-icing agent to prevent snow and ice from binding to the road surface, allowing for easier removal, fewer applications and faster return to a clean paved surface. This snow removal technique is more cost effective and environmentally friendly for municipalities, state agencies and consumers.
The agency also today debuted a video on social media on how residents can make their own more environmentally friendly liquid salt brine.
Department of Public Utilities
The Department of Public Utilities and the Electric Distribution Companies (EDCs) continue to monitor the weather forecast. The DPU and EDCs remain in close communication as the storm develops. The EDCs conduct daily storm planning calls and provide regular updates to the DPU regarding storm preparation activities.
Department of Environmental Protection
To address the handling of excessive snowfall amounts, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) provides Snow Disposal Guidance to local governments and businesses. The online guidance assists with snow disposal site selection, site preparation and maintenance, and emergency snow disposal options that are protective of wetlands, drinking water, and waterbodies. MassDEP also has an online mapping tool to help communities identify possible snow disposal options locally.
