Boston Mayor Declares Snow Emergency

Mayor Thomas Menino has declared a snow emergency, a move that bans parking ban on all major streets and cancels public schools as Boston prepares for a major snowstorm.

The snow emergency will go into effect at 9 p.m. Tuesday, hours before blizzard-like conditions hit New England. The National Weather Service says 12 to 16 inches of snow is expected in Boston and other Massachusetts coastal communities. Most of the state will see snow beginning to fall after midnight, with the heaviest falling during the morning commute.

Menino has directed all nonessential city workers to stay home and has asked businesses to consider having employees work from home.

Menino says the city has more than 500 pieces of snow removal equipment available and nearly 25,000 tons of salt.

The snow emergency is declared before every major snow storm.