And so it came to pass, Mother Nature issued an un-debatable reminder to New England as to who runs the show, unleashing a potentially record-breaking blizzard on a region that foolishly thought spring had sprung.
A gentle dusting began shortly after 7 a.m. Within three hours it escalated to what the boffins at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) call “extremely heavy snowfall”. That means between 2 to 4 inches per hour. If forecasts prove true, it should peak – but not end – around 3 p.m.
High winds will hit the coast early afternoon, with Cape Cod and Nantucket expected to get gusts of up to 70 mph.
At high tide, coastal communities can expect mild to moderate flooding, according to MEMA.
All told, 12 to 24 inches of snow are expected, but in Western Mass., officials are braced for up to 30. Prepare for downed limbs and trees and possible power outages.
Motorists have for the most part heeded Gov. Charlie Baker’s warning to stay off the roads. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh canceled school and issued a parking ban, as did most other municipal leaders. The MBTA is so far providing regular service with these exceptions: ferries have been canceled, buses have replaced trollies on the Mattapan to Ashmont corridor, and some commuter rail lines are on a modified schedule. AMTRAK suspended service.
