Advertisement

Winter Snowstorm Blankets Massachusetts

A snow plow operator works in front of Boston's Lenox Hotel Wednesday morning. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
A snow plow operator works in front of Boston's Lenox Hotel Wednesday morning. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

The worst of the latest winter storm moved out of Massachusetts Wednesday evening, but not before dropping over a foot of snow on some parts of the state and causing hundreds of spinouts on roadways.

According to the National Weather Service, West Roxbury got 11 inches while Logan Airport reported 9.7 inches. Some parts of the state saw over a foot, including Ludlow, South Hadley, Acton, Douglas, Lunenburg and Uxbridge. Areas to the south saw smaller accumulations, with 4.8 inches reported in Taunton.

Massachusetts State Police reported a number of minor car crashes, but spokesman David Procopio said there were no serious injuries.

David Epstein's Wednesday snowfall predictions, as of 6 a.m. (Click to enlarge)
David Epstein's Wednesday snowfall predictions, as of 6 a.m. (Click to enlarge

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said police officers were posted at major intersections throughout the city to help with the evening commute.

"It's all about slowing traffic down," Walsh said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. "Going home is not about getting home fast, it's about getting there safe."

The city of Boston lifted its snow emergency parking ban at 5 p.m. as the heaviest snow tapered off. But meteorologist David Epstein said we could expect intermittent snowfall through the evening, with another inch or so of snow falling in the Boston area through midnight.

Many communities, including Boston, Worcester and Springfield, closed schools Wednesday.

The storm prompted Gov. Deval Patrick to tell all non-essential state employees working in the executive branch to stay home. The state's trial courts were also closed Wednesday.

"Really if you can stay home, do so and stay off the roads," Patrick urged travelers. "If you have to travel and you have access to public transit, use that."

Logan Airport remained open through the storm, but there were dozens of cancellations. Airport officials predicted airlines would be resuming normal schedules by Thursday morning.

Despite concerns over the possibility of the heavy, wet snow causing power outages, utilities did not report any widespread problems.

Meteorologist Epstein says the rest of the week will be sunny, with highs in the 20s.

With additional reporting by The Associated Press.

-- Snowfall totals for the current storm:

[asset]2014/0121_snow-fall-totals[/asset]

This article was originally published on February 05, 2014.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close