Mass. Utility Says It Is Ready For Winter Storm

NStar says it has laid the groundwork to deal with the impact of a winter storm that meteorologists forecast will unleash wet, heavy snow and blizzard-like conditions in eastern Massachusetts.

The National Weather Service said on Saturday that the storm's center is over southeastern Massachusetts. The region is expected to see snowfalls of 10 to 14 inches through Sunday.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said the heaviest snowfalls will occur between 6 p.m. and midnight, with snowfall rates that may be as high as 4 inches per hour.

The storm will spawn blizzard and blizzard-like conditions along the Massachusetts coastline.

NStar said the heavy, wet snow and strong winds threaten trees and electrical equipment, increasing the likelihood of power outages.

NStar says it is pre-positioning its new mobile command centers in the region stretching south and east from Boston toward Cape Cod.

The Boston-based utility says the measure will facilitate a more localized coordination of storm response and dispatching of crews in hard-hit areas.

"NStar is also prepared to quickly relocate additional crews if necessary," the utility said in a statement. "Arrangements are also underway to call on crews from sister company Western Mass. Electric, if needed, to assist in the restoration effort."