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Snow Makes For Messy Evening Commute

David Epstein's snowfall projections, as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday
David Epstein's snowfall projections, as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday

Bands of heavy snow entered the Boston area late Tuesday afternoon as part of a storm that's expected to drop 3 to 5 inches of snow on most of the state. More snow could fall on the North Shore.

The snowfall affected the Tuesday evening commute.

"If you haven’t gotten yourself home and could stay at work, I would," meteorologist David Epstein said in his forecast at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. "The snow will continue past 8 p.m., but the traffic will lighten up by then."

Epstein said snowfall "rates will be particularly intense from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. when 3 or 4 inches of snow could fall in the city of Boston."

He said the snow should completely end by midnight.

He added: "Across Cape Cod an inch or two of snow will fall, but it will change to rain as temperatures warm into the 30s."

Secretary of State William Galvin, who is serving as acting governor while Gov. Deval Patrick wraps up a trade mission in Asia, sent all nonessential state workers home early and urged private employers in the Boston area to consider releasing their employees early.

Galvin also said additional MBTA service would be provided.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino also encouraged those in the city to consider using public transportation for their evening commute or consider staying past the evening commute to make it easier for public works crews to plow streets.

With additional reporting by The Associated Press


Epstein's forecast:

Tuesday evening: Snow heavy at times for the homebound commute. Snow mixing with and changing to rain Cape Cod before ending later this evening.

Temperatures in the teens inland and warming to the 20s to low 30s from Plymouth southward.

Overnight: Snow ending around 9pm south and west of Worcester, but lingering till around midnight eastern and coastal areas. Lows 17-27 north to south.

Wednesday: Early clouds then turning mostly sunny and cold. Highs 29-35.

Thursday: A bit milder with a blend of clouds and sunshine. Highs in the mid to upper 30s.

Follow updates from meteorologist David Epstein on Twitter @growingwisdom.

This article was originally published on December 17, 2013.

This program aired on December 17, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

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