Around Town

RMV Closing Early Due to Storm, MassDOT Encourages People to Avoid Roads

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising the public against traveling as the National Weather Service is forecasting heavy snow rates per hour in the early afternoon today, Monday, February 1. Snowfall rates may exceed one inch per hour on Monday afternoon and Monday night. The very strong winds will lead to blowing snow and greatly reduced visibility during the height of the storm. “We urge the public to take this storm seriously because driving conditions will be difficult, with heavy snow falling at a fast rate and gusty winds expected,” said Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. “During the storm, we are advising the public to stay home and don’t drive if you don’t have to.” 

“We are encouraging those workers who have the ability to work remotely to do so tomorrow,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “If you do have to be on the roads we urge you to plan ahead and to be off the roadways by mid-day. We expect roadways to become snow covered and slippery in the afternoon and through the evening with limited visibility and high winds as the storm progresses.”

MassDOT’s snow and ice operations will be deployed throughout the Commonwealth as conditions necessitate. Highway Districts continually conduct preparation activities in advance of new weather systems and are able to pretreat roadways with brine and Magnesium Chloride when necessary.

Flood Watch

Christmas 2020 Forecast: High Winds, Heavy Rains

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Christmas Day will be a turbulent one weather-wise with high wind gusts and heavy rain forecast on Friday. The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning from midnight Thursday to 4 p.m. Friday with winds of 20-30 mph and gusts up to 65 mph. In addition a Flood Watch has been issued from late Thursday through Friday afternoon with the possibility of 2 to 3 inches of rainfall. [HIGH WIND WARNING] A High Wind Warning has been issued from midnight Thursday night through 12 PM Friday across RI, E. MA and N. CT. Numerous power outages are expected as winds may gust to 70 mph Christmas morning.

Weather

Oh, That Snow! Share Your Photos of Today’s Big Storm

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The Dec. 16-17 Nor’easter dropped about 11 inches of snow on Watertown. The Nor’easter gave Watertown quite a wallop on Thursday, dropping more than 10 inches on town in several hours. I measured 11 inches in the backyard of Watertown News headquarters (see photo above). Do you photos of the winter wonderland in Watertown?

Snow Day

Watertown Declares Snow Emergency, Schools Closed and Other Storm Impacts

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Snow covered trees along the Charles River in Watertown Square. The Town of Watertown has declared a snow emergency, which prohibits parking on public streets. The Town of Watertown announced other delays due to the impending snow storm that will hit the Watertown area from late Wednesday to late Thursday. The Nor’easter could drop a foot of snow or more the Boston area. The WBZ Channel 4 forecast puts Watertown square in the 10-16 inch band.

Weather

Snow Storm Could Drop More than 6 Inches on Watertown

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The snowfall forecast for Dec. 16 and 17 from WBZ Channel 4. A Nor’easter will be hitting Eastern Massachusetts late Wednesday to late Thursday and is expected to impact the morning commute. The storm will likely hit the Boston area around midnight, according to WBZ Channel 4 weather. Watertown falls in the area where 6 to 12 inches of snow is forecast.

Entertainment

Wednesday’s Watertown Concert Has Been Cancelled

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Town officials announced that the outdoor concert planned for Wednesday, Aug. 12 has been cancelled due to expected thunderstorms.

The concert planned for Saltonstall Park featuring Southbound Train will not be rescheduled. “We will have them back next year though!” the announcement from the Town said. There are still two more concerts in the Watertown Summer Concert Series.

Weather

Tropical Storm Warning for Watertown as Isaias Moves North

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The track of Isaias, which will impact Eastern Massachusetts on Tuesday night. The National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Warning for all of Southern New England, though the current forecast is that the brunt of Isaias will be felt in Western Massachusetts and/or Upstate New York. The center of the storm is expected to pass through Southeast New York and Western New England Tuesday evening, the National Weather Service (NWS) announcement said. The heaviest impact will last around 6 hours, and locally it could generate winds of 25-35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph (or higher depending on the track of the storm), according to the NWS warning. In Boston, the rainfall is forecast to be less than a quarter inch, according to WBZ Channel 4’s forecast.

Government

Snow Closes Watertown Schools, Delays Opening of Town Buildings

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Snow started early Tuesday and will get much heavier during the day. Watertown School officials closed the Public Schools Tuesday due to the snowfall. Also, town facilities will open late due to the storm. A Watertown Public Schools Twitter post sent out Monday night reads:

“Due to the timing of the storm that is predicted for tonight and into the morning hours, all Watertown Public Schools, including the offices, will be closed tomorrow, December 3.” Watertown Town Hall, the Library and the Senior Center will open at 10 a.m. due to the snow storm, according to an alert sent out by the Town Administration.