Weather

Effects of Tropical Storm Elsa Expected to be Felt in Watertown

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National Weather Service

Tropical Storm Elsa will pass over southern New England on Friday, and Watertown is forecast to get heavy rains and wind from the storm. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Tropical Storm Warning at 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 8, 2021, for southeast Middlesex County, as well as for Cape Cod, the Islands and Southeast Mass. The Warning means that Tropical Storm force winds are expected within the next 36 hours. The storm is expected to kick up winds of 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. Potential power outages and road closures could result from tree limbs and other items falling on power lines and roadways.

Government

Watertown Calls Snow Emergency for Sunday’s Snow Storm

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A Watertown Department of Public Works snow plow. Watertown’s Superintendent of Public Works Gregory St. Louis announced a snow emergency for Sunday’s snow storm. The Watertown DPW sent out the following announcement:

The Superintendent of Public Works is declaring a Snow Emergency effective 12:00 Noon, Sunday, February 07, 2021. Watertown is expecting approximately 6-8 inches of snow with additional storms forecasted for later this week.

Around Town

Watertown Declares Snow Emergency for Nor’easter, Schools Dismissing Early

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The Town of Watertown declared a Snow Emergency due to the impending snow storm forecast to hit the area on Monday afternoon through Tuesday. Also, the Watertown Schools will dismiss early on Monday, but the status of Tuesday’s school day has not been announced, as of 9:50 a.m. Monday. Superintendent of Schools Dede Galdston announced early dismissal times for the Watertown Public Schools on Monday. She did not announce plans for Tuesday, but said if a snow day is declared, there will be no remote learning, it will be like a normal snow day. See more details below.

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.