January 26th, 2015
Governor Baker announced a statewide travel ban effective at midnight on Monday 1/26. As of 12PM (noon) on Tuesday, 1/27, the travel ban has been lifted for Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. The travel ban remains in effect for the entire length of the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90). For details and exceptions, see: http://1.usa.gov/1EMQtzl. We will post when the remaining areas of the Travel Ban are rescinded.
Massachusetts is experiencing a severe and potentially historic storm, complete with snow measured in feet, damaging winds, and serious coastal flooding. A corridor of heavy, wet snow is expected in southeast MA (east of I-95) where temperatures will near 32 degrees, making for heavy wet snow. Elsewhere, colder temperatures (teens and 20’s) will make for fluffier snow. Snowfall totals are expected to reach over 20 inches across much of the Commonwealth, with pockets of 30+ inches possible. The Cape and Martha’s Vineyard will see 12+ inches.
Light snow began Monday afternoon, and is expected to be heaviest between late Monday night through Tuesday morning, with rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour possible. National Weather Service expects snow to diminish in the afternoon and evening and wind down between 9PM-midnight for Western MA, Midnight-4AM for Central MA and 4AM-7AM for Eastern MA.
Impacts
Heavy Snowfall: Total snowfall amounts of 2-3 feet by Wednesday morning are possible in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, with more than a foot of snow on the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard.
Damaging Winds & Power Outages: Strong and damaging winds, possibly approaching hurricane force gusts; 75mph on the Cape and Islands, up to 80 mph on the outer Cape and Nantucket, 45-55mph in Boston, 25-45 mph in central MA, and 15-25 in western MA. Widespread power outages, potentially lasting multiple days, are possible with this storm.
Utilize MEMA’s real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times: http://mema.mapsonline.net/public.html
Coastal Flooding: Moderate flooding and significant beach erosion is likely to occur with pockets of major flooding on northeast-facing shorelines. A 3 – 3 ½ foot storm surge and 20 – 25 foot offshore wave activity is expected. The greatest impact will be during the Tuesday morning high tide (4-5 AM), with anticipated flooding of shoreline roads, damage to vulnerable structures and severe beach erosion. The Tuesday afternoon high tide, while not as high as the morning high tide, will have higher wave activity and is expected to bring moderate flooding and beach erosion.
Wind Chills: 0 to -5 degrees in western/central MA throughout the storm.
Governor Baker issued a State of Emergency Declaration for the entire Commonwealth at 11:30 a.m. on Monday 1/26/15. The State of Emergency remains active until further notice. We will post when the State of Emergency is rescinded. back...
Massachusetts is experiencing a severe and potentially historic storm, complete with snow measured in feet, damaging winds, and serious coastal flooding. A corridor of heavy, wet snow is expected in southeast MA (east of I-95) where temperatures will near 32 degrees, making for heavy wet snow. Elsewhere, colder temperatures (teens and 20’s) will make for fluffier snow. Snowfall totals are expected to reach over 20 inches across much of the Commonwealth, with pockets of 30+ inches possible. The Cape and Martha’s Vineyard will see 12+ inches.
Light snow began Monday afternoon, and is expected to be heaviest between late Monday night through Tuesday morning, with rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour possible. National Weather Service expects snow to diminish in the afternoon and evening and wind down between 9PM-midnight for Western MA, Midnight-4AM for Central MA and 4AM-7AM for Eastern MA.
Impacts
Heavy Snowfall: Total snowfall amounts of 2-3 feet by Wednesday morning are possible in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, with more than a foot of snow on the Cape and Martha’s Vineyard.
Damaging Winds & Power Outages: Strong and damaging winds, possibly approaching hurricane force gusts; 75mph on the Cape and Islands, up to 80 mph on the outer Cape and Nantucket, 45-55mph in Boston, 25-45 mph in central MA, and 15-25 in western MA. Widespread power outages, potentially lasting multiple days, are possible with this storm.
Utilize MEMA’s real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times: http://mema.mapsonline.net/public.html
Coastal Flooding: Moderate flooding and significant beach erosion is likely to occur with pockets of major flooding on northeast-facing shorelines. A 3 – 3 ½ foot storm surge and 20 – 25 foot offshore wave activity is expected. The greatest impact will be during the Tuesday morning high tide (4-5 AM), with anticipated flooding of shoreline roads, damage to vulnerable structures and severe beach erosion. The Tuesday afternoon high tide, while not as high as the morning high tide, will have higher wave activity and is expected to bring moderate flooding and beach erosion.
Wind Chills: 0 to -5 degrees in western/central MA throughout the storm.
Governor Baker issued a State of Emergency Declaration for the entire Commonwealth at 11:30 a.m. on Monday 1/26/15. The State of Emergency remains active until further notice. We will post when the State of Emergency is rescinded. back...
