UPDATE: Nearly 350K without power in Mass. after heavy snow

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Thursday, 4:30 p.m.

The MBTA Commuter Rail has canceled service for some trains leaving North Station tonight due to power outages in the Merrimack Valley impacting the Lowell and Haverhill lines.

• 293/294 (4:48 North Station to Reading & 5:38 Reading to North Station)
• 295/296 (6:05 North Station to Reading & 6:55 Reading to North Station)
• 297/298 (7:20 North Station to Reading & 8:07 Reading to North Station)
• 327/334 (4:15 North Station to Lowell & 5:17 Lowell to North Station)
• 333 (5:35 North Station to Lowell)

Thursday, 4 p.m.:

Boston 25 News will begin after the Red Sox Spring Training game, which is currently in the 9th inning.

Thursday, 3:30 p.m.:

While power has been restored to some parts of the state, more than 320K residents are still impacted.

Thursday, 2:00 p.m.:

Cordi O'Hara, president of Massachusetts National Grid, says the company is working as diligently as it can to restore power to customers across the Commonwealth.

"This nor'easter has brought heavy, wet snowfall and that's caused significant damage throughout our network and that means we've got 290,000 without supply. You're going to see damage int he form of downed wires," O'Hara said. "The merrimack valley is one of our hardest hit areas."

O'Hara said the company has more than 500 crews working at the moment and more are on the way to help out.

"We did secure over 300 external contractors ... they're all pre-staged based on the forecast," she said.

She said the company is focusing on public safety calls (calls made to 911) before they can turn their full attention to restoring power supply to all its customers.

"There's probably three big issues...it's going to be a multi-day restoration," O'Hara said. "My sympathies are with the customers .. public safety is priority number one."

She added the company works with local departments of public works to prioritize its work on public safety and restoration.

Thursday, 12:30 p.m.:

Power outages continue to tick up as the storm moves its way out, and it could be a few days before everyone is back online.

National Grid and Eversource both have crews dispatched throughout the state to work on those outages.

Currently, MEMA is reporting more than 360,000 customers without power.

Thursday, 11 a.m.:

Some good news -- Police in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, say I-95 has reopened in both directions in the area of Exit 3 after power lines fell across the road.

The road was closed for more than two hours, and drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible.

Luckily, no injuries were reported.

Drivers are being asked to take it slow on the roads Thursday morning as crews continue to clear snow from roads and highways.

Thursday, 9 a.m.:

Hundreds of thousands of people remain without power Thursday and numerous roads across the state are impassable after heavy, wet snow brought down trees and powerlines.

Af of 9 a.m., more than 343,000 outages were reported, and crews have been busy since Wednesday night trying to restore power as fast as possible.

MassDOT has more than 3,000 pieces of equipment across the state working to clear snow from roads and highways.

The westbound lanes on Route 9 in Newton are closed because wires were brought down across the road. Only one lane is open eastbound.

A truck fire closed the Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston for a period of time Thursday morning, but has since been reopened.

I-95 was closed in both direction in the area of Exit 3 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Thursday morning.

Thursday 8 a.m.:

MassDOT announced Thursday that all Registry of Motor Vehicle locations across Massachusetts will be closed because of this latest winter storm.

Officials said online services that the RMV provides will still be available, though.

For more information, click here.

Thursday, 7:30 a.m.:

A Commuter Rail train derailed in Wilmington early Thursday morning, police said.

No injuries were reported, but about 100 passengers are being evacuated from the train.

The incident occurred in the area of 498 Main St.

No other information was available.

Thursday, 7 a.m.:

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Thursday morning that because of the prolonged impacts of the ongoing nor'easter, all offices for non-emergency state executive branch employees will be closed.

The heavy snow and high winds made for difficult driving conditions overnight and Thursday morning.

Courts in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Plymouth, and Nantucket countries will operate on regular schedules. All other courts will have a delayed opening of 10 a.m.

Thursday, 6:30 a.m.:

A truck fire closed the Ted Williams Tunnel eastbound in Boston, according to MassDOT.

Heavy delays are expected while crews clear the truck from the tunnel.

Travel Thursday morning is expected to be treacherous as crews continue to clear snow from roads.

The MBTA says commuters should plan for delays whether you're taking the T, Commuter Rail or a bus.

Thursday 6 a.m.:

MassDOT said it has more than 3,000 pieces of equipment out on the roads this morning to try and clear as much snow as possible.

Despite their work, several roads across the state remain closed.

Boston 25 News reporter Kelly Sullivan said she spoke with police in Chelmsford, and officers told her they have responded to several calls of trees, limbs and utility lines down.

People are urged to stay away from downed lines, and always assume they're live.

Thursday 5 a.m.:

More than a foot of snow has fallen in several Massachusetts communities, and the snow is expected to continue for a few more hours.

Boston 25 News Reporter Michael Henrich said before his report at 5 a.m., he took out a tape measure and found at least 13 inches of snow fell in Leominster.

Travel conditions remain very difficult, and MassDOT said it had just under 3,000 pieces of equipment on the states roads and highways to remove snow.

It’s not only snow causing problems, either. Flooding has been reported on Morrisey Boulevard in Boston between Neponset Avenue and Tolman Street.

Thursday, 4:30 a.m.:

Buses are replacing Green Line D Branch service between Riverside and Reservoir in both directions until further notice, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said.

The heavy, wet snow has toppled trees across the area, and some have fallen across the tracks.

Crews will continue to make repairs.

Thursday, 4 a.m.:

Hundreds of thousands of people are in the dark Thursday morning as heavy, wet snow continues to fall across Massachusetts.

As of 4 a.m., nearly 270,000 customers are without power.

Crews have been working since Wednesday making repairs to downed utility lines, and will continue to do so throughout the storm.

INFO: Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency | Eversource | National Grid

Wednesday, 11:00 p.m.:

Gov. Baker has delayed the start time for non-emergency executive branch government employees to 11 a.m.

"The delayed start will allow road crews tme and space to plow streets impacted by this storm," Baker said in a release.

>>WATCH: Plow drivers work to keep roads clear for emergency responders

MBTA and Keolis crews are working overnight to make sure the tracks are cleared so trains can function as normal on Thursday according to Keolis spokesman Tory Mazzola.

In Marshfield, DPW crews are working to repair the seawall before the next high tide. Massive boulders have been brought in with tons of sand and gravel to replace what was torn away during the nor'easter last week.

>>WATCH: Crews race against the clock to repair Marshfield seawall before high tide

“We are worried about 4 a.m. high tide. If we can fix this up as best we can, we can get through it," the town's deputy DPW supervisor said.

In addition, a gas leak was reported on the esplanade in Marshfield and crews are working to repair that at the same time.

>>WATCH: Nor'easter causes messy roads, spinouts in Worcester

Wednesday, 10:30 p.m.:

While Worcester County deals with snow and the South Shore is getting several inches of rain, residents of the North Shore are dealing with a flood warning.

Residents of Nahant and Marblehead are still working to repair damage from the last flooding event, and hoping the high tides during this storm don't cause the same damage.

>>WATCH: North Shore residents worry about potential flooding for third time this year

Wednesday, 10:00 p.m.:

This winter nor'easter is intensifying with some cities and towns in Worcester County reporting 10 inches of snow.

Meteorologist Sarah Wroblewski has been in contact with weather reporters in Vermont who say there's been more than 14 inches of snow.

Boston 25 News viewers have started submitting pictures of what it looks like where they live. You can email photos to share@boston25.com or tag @boston25 on Twitter to send us what you're seeing.

In Boston's North End, snow started falling around 8:30 p.m., but has already started to pile up.

That snow is heavy and wet, which means the roads are treacherous for anyone who is walking or driving.

Boston Public Schools are closed Thursday, which will allow public works crews to make sure roads are in good shape before Friday and the weekend.

>>WATCH: Boston cancels schools as several inches of snow expected in city

Wednesday, 8:00 p.m.:

Much of the area is seeing snowfall now as the line temperatures drop. Here in Dedham at the Boston 25 News headquarters the changeover happened just before 8 p.m.

We have reporters across the region monitoring the conditions. Tune in to Boston 25 News at 10 & 11 for a live report from your area.

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.:

For the second day in a row, students who attend Worcester Public Schools will have the day off.

In Leominster, snow just started to fall, causing traffic to slow significantly for the evening commute.

“They’re saying we can get a foot of snow or more. Will we get it? I don’t know, Anne Chapdelaine said. “It’s march, so it won’t last long.”

Wednesday. 5 p.m.:

Boston Public Schools will be closed on Thursday due to the nor'easter that's expected to drop several inches of snow on parts of the city.

Several schools in Worcester County canceled classes Wednesday, and more are expected to follow Boston's lead for Thursday.

The City of Boston has not, however, instituted a parking ban.

Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.: 

Small shifts in the track of this storm will have major impacts on the snow totals around Boston. As snow begins to fall ahead of the evening commute, we're watching the track closely.

Shifts of just 20 miles could mean several inches of difference in snow totals along the I-95 corridor into Boston and the North Shore.

Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.:

The WINTER STORM WARNING issued for much of Metro West has been expanded to include Boston and the North Shore.

With the low pressure front now tracking a bit closer, there is more colder air in the Boston area and could increase precipitation totals. Basically, Boston could be looking at more snow tonight.

A COASTAL FLOOD WARNING has been issued for parts of the South Shore, including Duxbury and Plymouth. So problems lingering from last week's storm could get worse tonight.

Wednesday, 1 p.m.:

Snow began falling along the Mass. Pike this afternoon and the low pressure system appears to be strengthening.

Wednesday, noon:

The Storm Tracker Weather Team will be keeping a close eye on the rain/snow line, which could make snow totals change for some areas.

Shiri says the driving will become increasingly difficult starting around 4:00 this afternoon, and lasting well into the night.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 1 p.m. tomorrow.

Wednesday, 11 a.m.:

Gov. Charlie Baker held a news conference Wednesday morning to provide an update on preparations as another nor’easter moves closer to the state.

He said while lower snow totals and a mix of rain are expected in eastern Massachusetts, residents still need to travel carefully and to use public transportation when they can.

He said power outages are also expected across the state.

Wednesday, 10 a.m.:

Gov. Charlie Baker is discussing the latest with how the state is preparing for the latest nor'easter. Watch live on Boston 25 News or by clicking here.

Wednesday, 9 a.m.:

If you're headed into or out of Logan International Airport Wednesday and Thursday, you may want to check with your airline first.

Several delays and cancelations have been reported already, and the worst of the storm is still hours away from the Boston-area.

At least 100 flights have been delayed, and nearly 130 arriving flights have been canceled.

For more information, click here

Wednesday, 8 a.m.:

As snow begins to fal in western and central Massachusetts, MassDOT says it has equipment out trying to clear roads.

As of 7:30 a.m. MassDOT said it had 257 pieces of equipment working to keep roads clear.

The morning commute isn't expected to be a difficult one, just slow. However, the evening commute is a different story.

Heavy, wet snow and some rain could make for some dangerous driving conditions.

Wednesday, 6 a.m.:

The last nor’easter was all about the coast, but this time around central Massachusetts is preparing to get hit hard with heavy, wet snow.

A foot or more could fall Wednesday into Thursday, and that’s leading some communities to close schools and implement parking bans.

The salt and sand are ready to go in Leominster, and residents have been busy getting shovels and scrapers ready for the possibility of more than a foot of snow.

Residents along the coast are bracing for another round from Mother Nature. Power outages and flooding continue to be main concerns less than a week before major coastal flood from our previous storm.

The Wednesday morning commute shouldn't be an issue when it comes to the winter weather. The Wednesday evening commute is a different story, though.

INFO: Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency | Eversource | National Grid

SNOW & RAIN
We're expecting a sharp cutoff between heavy rain and heavy snow somewhere between I-95 and I-495. This means our snow bands may end up very close together. Boston will probably see snow at first, then a mix or rain in the afternoon, then change back to snow Wednesday night.

Central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire will see mostly heavy, wet snowfall. The Cape will tap into mainly rain.

Up to 2 inches of rainfall may result in more rivers and streams running high in their banks or flooding. This is a bigger concern in southeastern Mass. because we're expecting more rain than snow.

Here's what we're forecasting now. There may be adjustments as we determine where the rain/snow line will set up:

• •Mainly rain on the South Shore
• 1-3" along I-95 from Boston to Providence
• 3-6" west of Boston between I-95 and I-495
• 6-10" southern Worcester Co., along 495 across the Merrimack Valley and up to the Sea Coast
• 10-14" Route 2 into Southern NH and VT

WIND
This is another nor'easter, so expect more onshore (northeast) winds. They'll be particularly strong Wednesday evening through Thursday morning with gusts 45-60 mph, strongest at the coast.

Scattered power outages are possible from wind and heavy, wet snow.

MORE: Crews racing to restore power to thousands before next nor'easter impacts Mass.

COAST

At least this time we do not have the astronomical high tides that resulted in major coastal flooding last week. Still, the 4 a.m. high tide Thursday may bring us more minor coastal flooding along the east coast of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Waves will be big, up to 20 or 25 feet at some local ocean-exposed beaches.

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