DEDHAM, Mass. — Southern New England, including Massachusetts, got hit by a powerful nor’easter that brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions, leaving many communities in the dark.
By Monday morning, blizzard criteria were met in many communities, including Boston. Rhode Island’s TF Green Airport broke a snowfall record set in the Blizzard of 1978.
More than three feet of snow buried some local communities.
Strong wind gusts, coupled with the heavy, wet snow, caused widespread power outages, leaving hundreds of thousands in the dark. Roads across the region were also impassable, especially across the South Coast and Cape Cod.
Schools across the state were forced to call off classes for Tuesday.
Follow below for live updates as this storm develops:
Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.
Travel remains treacherous in snowfall jackpot communities after more than 30 inches of snow left some major roads and highways impassable.
A non-essential travel ban remained in effect for Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, and Dukes counties.
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.
Large parts of the South Shore and Cape Cod are waking up in the dark and cold. Eversource power crews are gearing up for a “multi-day” restoration effort.
Tuesday, 8 a.m.
Boston 25 Meteorologist Shiri Spear is forecasting a quiet day for ongoing snow cleanup.
Tuesday, 7:45 a.m.
We’ve updated our snow totals list from yesterday’s monster blizzard. Three feet of snow buried some communities.
Tuesday, 5 a.m.
The MBTA announces that the Commuter Rail will be operating on a storm schedule today due to the snowstorm.
Tuesday, 4:30 a.m.
The Massachusetts National Guard is activated and is providing up to 350 service members to support interagency partners responding to this winter storm.
Tuesday, 12 a.m.
Eversource is bringing in crews from outside of Massachusetts as part of a ‘multi-day’ power restoration effort."
Monday, 9:20 p.m.
Eastham Police Chief Adam Bohannon announces that “100% of the town is without power,” as a result of heavy tree and electrical grid damage sustained from the storm.
Bohannon went on to add that due to the dangerous road conditions and the harsh weather, Eversource will not be able to work on restoration.
“If you are in need of emergency sheltering, we have opened the Eastham Public Library as a secondary shelter. Nauset Regional High School is experiencing some heating issues and has reached its capacity for the night. If you cannot provide your own transportation to the library, please contact the Eastham Police Department at 508-255-0551. The shelter should be a last resort. Please consider staying with a neighbor or friend that might have a generator.”
Monday, 7:45 p.m.
The blizzard warning has been dropped for all of Massachusetts by the National Weather Service.
Monday, 6:45 p.m.
MassDOT has lifted travel restrictions on trucks for points north of I-90 from the New York border to I-495 in Hopkinton, and points west of, and including I-495 from the New Hampshire border to Hopkinton.
The travel ban in Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes, and Barnstable counties remains in effect.
Monday, 6:05 p.m.
Hours after signing an executive order placing an immediate ban on non-essential motor vehicle travel in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties, Governor Healey lifted the state of emergency for western Massachusetts: Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
Healey added that she activated another 150 members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist with the response and urged Bay State workplaces to allow their employees to work remotely Tuesday.
“While the worst of the storm is behind us and much of the state is turning to shoveling out, conditions remain severe and dangerous across Southeastern Massachusetts,” said Governor Healey. “We need everyone to stay off the roads for their own safety and to allow our crews to do their work – especially in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties and on the Vineyard. We will also have additional members of the National Guard assisting municipalities with snow and debris removal, transportation, non-fire related emergency responses, rescues and any other needs. It will take some time for crews to address snow removal and power outages, so we urge everyone to remain cautious and patient while we work to get things back to normal.”
Monday, 5:55 p.m.
Power crews from Wisconsin have been spotted in Plymouth, where thousands of residents are in the dark.
Monday, 5:50 p.m.
We’ve updated our town-by-town snow totals list. Some communities are eclipsing 30 inches!
Monday, 5:45 p.m.
A hospital in Providence helped welcome newborn twins into the world during the historic blizzard.
Monday, 5:30 p.m.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is announcing that snow removal equipment is being redeployed to the South Coast to support municipalities as they respond to heavy snowfall and dangerous road conditions.
Motorists across the state should expect a reduced level of service, including lane closures, on highways for a prolonged period of time as crews work to clear the roadways.
Monday, 5:15 p.m.
Mayor Michelle Wu announces that Boston Public Schools will be closed again on Tuesday. The city’s snow emergency and parking ban will also remain in effect until at least 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Monday, 4:40 p.m.
Many Massachusetts schools will be closed again on Tuesday. See an updated list.
Monday, 4:15 p.m.
A plow truck crash has ripped down utility poles in Wellesley, prompting a large emergency response.
Monday, 4:10 p.m.
Boston 25 Meterologist Tucker Antico says the blizzard is making its final pivot, ensuring “several hours” of additional snowfall before it clears out of New England.
Monday, 3:50 p.m.
The National Guard is helping several disabled vehicles stranded at I-495 and Route 24, Massachusetts State Police announced.
Monday, 3:30 p.m.
Governor Maura Healey has signed an executive order placing an immediate ban on non-essential motor vehicle travel in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties, where residents were facing widespread power outages, and vehicles were abandoned on highways.
Monday, 3 p.m.
Gov. Maura Healey and state officials are providing an update on the powerful nor’easter.
Monday, 2:45 p.m.
Snowfall this season in Boston has reached 57.7 inches.
Monday, 1:50 p.m.
Market Basket closes most of its stores early due to the nor’easter.
Monday, 1:45 p.m.
TF Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, has received 32.8 inches of snow, breaking a record set in 1978.
Monday, 1:20 p.m.
The Duxbury Police Department urges residents to stay off the roads, noting officers have been rescuing drivers stuck in deep snow.
“Current road conditions across Duxbury are extremely hazardous — many roads are completely impassable due to heavy accumulation, drifting snow, whiteout visibility, and high winds," the department wrote in a Facebook post.
Monday, 1:15 p.m.
Crews in Plymouth are responding to downed power lines as whipping winds continue howl across southeastern Massachusetts.
Monday, 1:15 p.m.
Brrr! Cape Cod looks a tad chilly today.
Monday, 1:10 p.m.
The town of Winthrop is dealing with multiple water main breaks as the storm bears down.
Monday, 1:00 p.m.
Boston 25 Meterologist Tucker Antico calls Monday’s nor’easter, “Undeniably historic.”
Monday, 12:30 p.m.
The heavy snow and strong winds are taking a toll on Wellesley, where a massive tree crashed down on a home in the area of Great Plain Avenue at Fieldstone Way.
Monday, 12 p.m.
Wow! It’s a wild scene in this Plymouth neighborhood, where two plows are stuck in the snow, while snowboarders prepare for some fun.
Monday, 11:45 a.m.
Travel conditions are near impossible on Cape Cod. Bourne police are warning the public of falling trees and power lines amid whiteout conditions fueled by hurricane-force winds.
Monday, 11:40 a.m.
Perfect snowball weather? Boston 25 News Anchor Gene Lavanchy weighs in.
Monday, 11:30 a.m.
Power outages in Massachusetts are nearing 300,000. Many of them are centered across southeastern communities, including Cape Cod.
Monday, 10:54 a.m.
Two feet of snow is already on the ground in some communities. See a list of town-by-town snow reports here.
Monday, 10:15 a.m.
Don’t go outside if you don’t have to!
Monday, 9:50 a.m.
A blizzard has officially been declared in Bedford, Block Island, Boston, Beverly, Chatham, Falmouth/Otis, Hyannis, Worcester, Providence, Pawtucket, Newport, Westerly, Provincetown, and Plymouth, according to the National Weather Service.
Monday, 9:30 a.m.
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport has suspended all airport operations due to the storm.
Monday, 9:15 a.m.
Foxboro is nearing two feet of snow! See a list of town-by-town snow reports here.
Monday, 9 a.m.
The blizzard is expected to continue for many more hours.
Monday, 8:30 a.m.
Police in New Hampshire have announced highway speed restrictions due to the storm.
Monday, 8:10 a.m.
The wind is howling in Plymouth.
Monday, 7:45 a.m.
Both Boston and Cape Cod are seeing whiteout conditions.
Monday, 7 a.m.
Power outages in Massachusetts have jumped to more than 113,000.
Monday, 6:20 a.m.
Boston is getting battered by snow and fierce winds.
Monday, 6:10 a.m.
A 70 mph wind gust was reported on Nantucket.
Monday, 5:30 a.m.
Power outages continue to rise. As of 5:30 a.m., there were 40,835 customers in Massachusetts without power.
Monday, 5:10 a.m.:
Shiri Spear shares an updated hour-by-hour snowfall and wind gust forecast.
Sunday, 8:05 p.m.
DoorDash has announced that it will be temporarily suspending its operations due to the upcoming storm from 9 p.m. tonight until at least 12 p.m. Monday, February 23.
DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley released the following statement.
“A historic blizzard is bearing down on the Northeast. We’re suspending operations across impacted areas to keep our community safe. This is a serious storm — we’ll resume when it passes.”
Sunday, 7:52 p.m.
The snow and wind have reached Rhode Island.
Sunday, 7:50 p.m.
Dana-Farber announces that all in-person visits will be closed for tomorrow.
Sunday, 6:26 p.m.
The Town of Plymouth has announced that, beginning tonight at 10 p.m. in partnership with the American Red Cross, it will be opening an emergency shelter at Plymouth North High School.
“Whether residents are experiencing a loss of heat or power, unsafe living conditions, or other storm-related challenges, the shelter is available to provide a safe and supportive environment,” the town wrote in a press release. “All disaster assistance is provided free of charge.”
Important notes to add for all visitors
- No identification is required. Individuals are only asked to provide their name and where they were living prior to the disaster.
- The shelter is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.
- Pets are welcome, and service animals are always permitted.
- Shelter workers are available to assist guests whose pets or service animals may need food or supplies.
Sunday, 6:24 p.m.
Many local businesses are announcing closures for Monday, including the beloved Kane’s Donuts.
Sunday, 4:50 p.m.
A live look at the conditions in Atlantic City. Boston should look like this around midnight.
Sunday, 2:16 p.m.
The MBTA has announced that ahead of tomorrow’s winter storm, there will be multiple service changes to accommodate passengers as they implement its winter-weather mitigation measures.
To see which line will be impacted, go to their website or follow their social media.
Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
Mass. Gov. Maura Healey has declared a state of emergency. Healey also activated the national guard, while urging remote work for Monday.
“This is one to take seriously,” Healey warned.
Sunday, 1:15 p.m.
Mass. Gov. Maura Healey is providing an update on the state’s storm preparations.
Sunday, 12:45 p.m.
MassDOT announces that truck travel restrictions will be implemented on interstate highways beginning at 5:00 p.m. and will remain in place until further notice.
The announcement stated, “During this time, truck traffic on interstate highways will be restricted from traveling on roadways, including box trucks, tractor-trailer, tandem, and special permit trucks. Truck deliveries of food, fuel, and medical supplies will not be subject to restrictions.”
Sunday, 12:30 p.m.
Boston 25 Meterologist Tucker Antico says the storm is about to undergo “rapid strengthening.”
Sunday, 12 p.m.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announces that schools, city offices, and buildings will be closed on Monday.
Sunday, 12 p.m.
National Grid announces that crews are prepared to respond to power outages during the storm.
Sunday, 11:30 a.m.
School closures across the state are starting add up.
Sunday, 11:20 a.m.
The blizzard warning has been extended to cover central Massachusetts and some parts of western Massachusetts.
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
Now is the time to make preparations because driving during the storm will be nearly impossible.
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Boston 25 Meteorologist Vicki Graf is timing out the arrival of the storm, noting snow will start falling between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., with conditions going downhill fast overnight.
Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
Hundreds of flight cancellations have been reported at Boston’s International Logan Airport.
Sunday, 8 a.m.
Boston 25 Meteorologist Vicki Graf reminds coastal residents that flooding will also be a concern during the storm.
Sunday, 7:45 a.m.
No changes to the snow map. One to 2 feet of snow is expected across many areas.
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