Snow drifts in Framingham are up to three feet high. Plows are out on Route 9 and the Massachusetts Turnpike, which have a fair number of cars at about 6 a.m.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is monitoring snow accumulation, coastal needs, roads and power outages. NSTAR and National Grid are reporting just a handful of power outages.
Snow accumulation has reached more than 24 inches north of Boston, in towns like Andover, 16 inches on the North and South Shores with slightly less on Cape Cod, and a foot west of Boston and in Rhode Island.
MEMA is working closely with the Department of Transportation, which says its has deployed crews totaling nearly 3,400 people. They’re out plowing and treating roads, which are still covered in snow and some ice. The DOT reports that the I-93 high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane will not open today.
When the snowfall ends Friday, the DOT points out that extremely cold temperatures will reduce the effectiveness of chemicals treating the road. That means snow can still pack after it’s been plowed. And those who must drive can expect slippery roads.
But that cold is good for power lines because the snow is dry and fluffy and not accumulating, so it won't weigh down power lines and cause outages.
The MBTA has a number of delays due to mechanical and signal problems. Buses are off schedule. Best to check MBTA.com for information before relying on public transportation today.
