Around Town

First Winter Storm Due to Hit Watertown Sunday, Parking Ban Starts

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A storm that will stretch from Sunday into Tuesday could drop as much as six inches of snow on the Watertown area, and make travel tough for people returning from Thanksgiving trips. At the same time, the winter parking ban begins in Watertown. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service from 11 a.m. on Sunday to 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Watertown is in the area forecast by WCVB Channel 5 to get 3-6 inches of snow, but areas of northern Massachusetts and New Hampshire could get more than a foot. The Cape, on the other hand, will get an inch or less.

Severe Weather

Potential for Severe Thunderstorms Wednesday Afternoon

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Powerful storms are forecast to hit New England Wednesday, and have the potential to impact the Watertown area. The National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Wednesday, with a chance of severe thunderstorms hitting the area between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The threat of bad weather has cancelled the Watertown Farmers Market on Aug. 21. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2019/08/21/weather-cancels-watertown-farmers-market/

The storms may bring strong wind gusts that could cause damage, torrential downpours and localized flash flooding, and even the possibility of large hailstones falling. WBZ Channel 4’s forecast calls for the storms to mainly be north and west of the Boston in the afternoon, but the storm will likely move into the Boston area in the late afternoon and early evening.

National Weather Service

Strong Thunderstorm Hits Watertown, Concert Moved Inside

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A thunderstorm rolled through Watertown on Wednesday, causing some damage. A powerful thunderstorm blew through Watertown Wednesday afternoon, damaging some trees and moving the Watertown Summer Concert inside. The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m. on Wednesday. The storm hit Watertown shortly after 3:30 p.m.

A tree branch on Westside’s Brandley Road reportedly fell on utility poll during the storm on Brantley Road. Firefighters found live electrical wires on the street, and called for an Eversource crew to come repair it.

Fire Department

Powerful Thunderstorm Floods School & Streets, Knocks Down Tree in Watertown

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A thunderstorm that hit Watertown Wednesday afternoon caused flooding and other damage. A strong thunderstorm caused chaos which rolled through Watertown late Wednesday afternoon, flooding part of a school, streets and knocking over a tree. The storm cell hit Watertown at about 5:30 p.m. and with several lightning bolts in the area and dumping heavy rain on town, causing flooding in some areas. Flooding was reported around Watertown, including causing water to come into the gymnasium at Cunniff Elementary School on the Westside of town. Street flooding was reported nearby on Warren at Chapman Street, where as much as a foot of water was reported by first responders on the scene, according to scanner reports.

Cancellations

Snow Closings: Watertown Town Council Meeting Cancelled and More

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With heavy snow fall expected Tuesday afternoon and into the evening, some cancellations and closings have been announced in Watertown. Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting has been cancelled and rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 14 at 7:15 p.m. All items on the agenda will be heard Thursday, including three requests for cell antennas around Watertown. Also cancelled is the Watertown Public School’s Budget and Finance Subcommittee Meeting, which had been scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The Watertown Public Schools also announced there will be no after school or evening activities on Tuesday.

Transportation

MBTA Announces Extra Subway Service for Snow Storm

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising the public that weather forecasters are expecting a winter storm to impact travel across the Commonwealth throughout Tuesday, February 12. Snow is expected to begin falling during the Tuesday morning hours in Western Massachusetts and the storm will move eastward during the day, with snowfall rates at some times of one inch per hour, and with snow changing over to sleet in most regions. Members of the public are advised to minimize travel, use public transportation if possible, consider working from home if that is an option, or consider leaving work early on Tuesday. Driving conditions will become hazardous in Western Massachusetts around 10 a.m., Central Massachusetts around 1 p.m., and in the Boston area and Eastern Massachusetts around 3 p.m.

“We are asking people throughout the Commonwealth to make smart, safe decisions on Tuesday such as taking advantage of public transportation, working from home if possible and leaving early for their afternoon commute,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Everyone should check a weather forecast and travel conditions before heading out to avoid hazardous driving conditions, as there will be varying types of precipitation in all regions of Massachusetts, including snow, sleet, and freezing rain throughout the daytime and evening hours. The MBTA will be running subway lines in the Boston area at increased capacity starting at noon and all motorists should consider leaving early for their commute home and allowing plenty of extra time to travel.”

“MassDOT is currently conducting preparation activities for the deployment of snow and ice crews in advance of Tuesday’s winter weather,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.

Weather

Winter Storm Could Make for a Messy Tuesday Afternoon & Commute

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Snow will hit the Watertown area Tuesday afternoon and could make for a messy evening commute. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch from 2 p.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. Wednesday. The precipitation will begin as snow and turn to sleet and then freezing rain. Forecasters at WBZ Channel 4 say that the area could get 3 to 6 inches of snow during the storm. Ice is possible Tuesday night, especially north and west of Rte.

Government

Watertown Declares Snow Emergency for This Weekend’s Storm

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A snow plow clears snow from a parking lot. The Town of Watertown has declared a snow emergency beginning Saturday evening. See details below. The following announcement came from the Town of Watertown:

A winter weather event is predicted with 8-10 inches of snow accumulation in our area. The Superintendent of Public Works has declared a snow emergency effective 6:00 p.m. Saturday January 19, 2019, and will remain in effect until further notice.