Impending Snowstorm Prompts Emergency Declarations, Closures
Update: This story has been updated with snow emergency declarations and closures. And with comments from state officials.
Gov. Charlie Baker said executive branch employees who could would be allowed to work from home and encouraged private employers to give their workers flexibility in this.
"By the end of the day Friday, some pockets in northern Massachusetts may see close to a foot of snow. The timing of this storm will make travel conditions especially difficult throughout the day on Friday," he said.
State road crews were being positioned and road pretreated; the MBTA was planning to run snow trains through the night and into Friday.
Secretary of Transportation Jamey L. Tesler urged motorists and truck drivers to plan ahead for difficult conditions on Friday morning and stay home if possible.
"As you've heard conditions and snowfall accumulations will vary in severity over the various regions of Massachusetts but all regions should expect to experience weather conditions that will make travel challenging, especially during the morning commute," he said. "We should take the storm seriously. This is a long duration storm with the worst of it in the a.m. peak and continuing throughout the day. ...
"Although we are not enacting any truck restrictions in advance, I expect that there may be some restriction put in place tomorrow depending on the conditions."
State officials are not expecting widespread power outages because this storm will not be accompanied by high winds but did note their could be scattered outages across the state.
Residents were cautioned to have their electronic devices fully charged, to have flashlight batteries and fresh water on hand, and other supplies in case of the power goes out.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles will be closed.
The National Weather Service has set a Wind Advisory and Winter Storm Watch.
There is a Wind Advisory in effect from Wednesday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Expect West winds in the 15 to 25 mph range with possible gusts up to 50 mph.
Otherwise, Wednesday is going to be warm with temperatures topping out at 60, according to Accuweather.
Be sure to secure any objects that could be blown away. Power outages should also be anticipated with the possibility of downed tree limbs.
On Thursday, Feb. 24 there is a Winter Storm Watch in effect from 10 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25.
Steve Caporizzo reports that the Northern Berkshires can expect all snow while Central and South County can expect snow and a brief mix.
8-12 inches are expected, says the National Weather Service.
Snowfall rates could exceed an inch per hour at times.
Temperatures are expected to be in the low 30s throughout the day Thursday and Friday.
Saturday should be partly sunny with temperatures just under 30. Sunday should be even sunnier with temperatures in the mid-30s hopefully melting away some of Friday's carnage.
Closures for Friday:
Adams: Municipal Offices, including the Town Hall, Council on Aging and Adams Free Library. The Transfer Station shall remain open for normal operational hours on Saturday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Berkshire Community College closed, all classes canceled.
Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires
MCLA: all classes are canceled.
North Adams: City Hall, all other municipal buildings and the transfer station.
Due to the winter storm all rk Miles locations will be closing at 3 pm today. They will be open regular business hours Saturday, Feb. 26.
Southwestern Vermont Health Care COVID Resource Center will be closed.
Due to the winter storm today, West Stockbridge Town Hall and Library are closed.
Snow Emergency Declarations:
Adams has set a snow emergency from 1:00 am Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 through 6:00 am Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022
- No vehicle is permitted to park or stand unattended upon any street, highway, traveled way, or public parking lot during a storm emergency.
- No vehicle is permitted to park or stand unattended on any open municipal parking lot during a storm emergency permitting the lot to be effectively cleared of snow.
The duration of the storm emergency covers the anticipated period of the storm as well as the time required for the Town's DPW forces to clean up streets after the storm ends. Vehicles found in violation of the above parking regulations will be ticketed and towed at the vehicle owner's expense.
Town residents and business owners are reminded that Town Code requires sidewalks abutting their property be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours after the storm event has ended and prohibits the plowing, throwing, pushing or otherwise disposing of snow from their property onto public streets and sidewalks.
Residents and business owners are also encouraged to clear snow from around fire hydrants located near houses or businesses.
Clarksburg has declared a snow emergency starting Thursday Feb. 24 at 11pm. The snow emergency will last through Saturday Feb. 26 at noon.
Residents and visitors are reminded that on-street parking is prohibited, and violators will be subject to being towed at their own expense. It is also advised to refrain from going out on the roadways during the storm if not absolutely necessary.
The Town of Lenox has declared a SNOW EMERGENCY beginning Thursday, 24 Feb., 2022 at 11pm continuing through Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 at 6am.
Any vehicles parked on any streets town wide will be towed at the owner's expense for snow removal purposes.
A snow emergency has been declared in Pittsfield for the purposes of parking restrictions effective 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 through 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26.
For the duration of the snow emergency, residents are asked to use off-street parking.
If off-street parking is not available, residents may park on the street observing the following alternate side parking regulations:
- Between 7 p.m. Thursday and 7 p.m. Friday: parking is allowed on the even side of the street;
- Between 7 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday: parking is allowed on the odd side of the street; and
- Residents in and around downtown Pittsfield are encouraged to use the McKay Street parking garage for overnight parking which will be open to the public free of charge starting, Thursday through the duration of the emergency.
All other existing and signed parking regulations remain active. Non-permitted vehicles are prohibited from parking or standing in any open municipal parking lot between the hours of 12 a.m. and 7 a.m.
Vehicles found in violation of the above parking regulations may be towed at the vehicle owner's expense.
City residents are further advised that sidewalks and ramps abutting their property must be cleared of snow within 24-hours of the storm's end. As a reminder, it is a violation of city ordinance to plow or otherwise dispose of snow from their property onto city streets and sidewalks. Residents are also encouraged to clear snow from around fire hydrants located near their properties.
LATEST on the
— Steve Caporizzo (@SteveCaporizzo) February 23, 2022
Thursday night/Friday Storm.
Widespread Heavy snow looks highly likely at this point.
First look at Snowfall Accumulations. pic.twitter.com/qFJbaa4OPU
In case you missed it earlier - snow forecast for Thursday night/Friday! pic.twitter.com/qTMN8Ymwb8
— Alyssa Caroprese (@CBS6Alyssa) February 23, 2022
A winter storm will bring accumulating #snow to S New England on Friday. Precipitation starts off as moderate to heavy snowfall in the pre-dawn hours, changing to wintry mix south of the Pike before tapering off Friday evening. Morning commute will be impacted. #MAwx #RIwx #CTwx pic.twitter.com/fsVVksFVQW
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) February 23, 2022
Tags: snowstorm, wind,
