Mass. officials urge residents to stay off the roads; Boston and others close schools Monday

State officials warned residents to keep off the roads Sunday and Monday and to stay indoors this weekend if possible, with a massive winter storm bearing down on Massachusetts and frigid temperatures already settling in across the region. As the storm marched east across the country, school districts began announcing Monday closures, including Boston.

Snow is expected to begin midday Sunday and ramp up to near-whiteout conditions by early evening. Forecasters predict the heaviest snowfall to take place from 5 p.m. Sunday to midnight, with 2 to 4 inches per hour possible.

State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said the intensity of the expected snowfall will make it challenging for snowplows to clear the roads.

“Whenever it's going to snow more than two inches an hour, road conditions will deteriorate. Doesn't matter how many plows we have out there,” Gulliver told reporters at the State House Friday afternoon. “Overnight Sunday into Monday morning, that's when we expect the most intense snowfall to be coming through.”

Gulliver said it typically takes about four hours to fully clean roads after snow stops during a storm of this size.

"So keep that in mind if you do need to be out and about on Monday," he said.

Acting Transportation Secretary Phil Eng said drivers should check the weather forecast even if it looks clear outside.

“Please be mindful that if you make it to your destination, you have to make it back from your destination as well. You really should look ahead,” he said.

Gov. Maura Healey declared Monday a remote work day for non-essential state employees and urged private sector employers “to think about doing the same.”

“First of all, if you can do it, stay indoors this weekend. It's just going to be way too cold. If you do have to go outdoors, please dress warmly, in layers. Don't have exposed skin. I want you to make sure today that you're thinking about what you might need for the weekend through Monday,” Healey said.

On Saturday Boston announced schools would be closed Monday. City buildings, including public libraries, will also be closed Sunday and Monday. Officials declared a parking ban in the city will begin Sunday at 8 a.m. ahead of what the city expects will be the height of the storm beginning early afternoon and continuing overnight into Monday in Boston.

At a press conference at Boston City Hall Saturday morning, Mayor Michelle Wu noted the storm will arrive as the Patriots take on the Broncos in Denver to determine who will move on to the Super Bowl.

“ We're encouraging everyone to go out ahead of time. Plan ahead,” Wu said. “It is cold right now, but get your snacks for the Patriots game now, before it starts to get towards when the snow is falling.”

As freezing temperatures set in on Saturday, Healey gave some final reminders to the public from MassDOT’s depot in Weston: today’s the day to stock up on milk, or anything else you might need in the next 36 hours. Stay warm, but careful, Healey said, since misusing fireplaces, wood stoves or space heaters could burden already strained first responders. She urged people to check in on their neighbors. And, as always, don’t drive close to snow plows.

Utilities cannot be shut down during this time, Healey said. Across Massachusetts, she said people can expect between 1 to 2 feet of snow.

“Everybody’s been out preparing for this,” Healey said, thanking the people working through the weekend. “They’re ready to go.”

Gulliver said the Department of Transportation has prepared 3,200 pieces of equipment to respond to the storm.

“I expect that we're going to be deploying most of those at the height of this storm. This is a pretty big and intense storm with a long duration,” he said. “Our salt supplies for both pre-treatment and for salt during the storm are in really good shape.”

MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan said the transit agency plans to operate a regular weekend schedule Sunday across all modes of transportation.

Coholan said the T scheduled regular weekday service for light and heavy rail, paratransit and bus operations. The Commuter Rail is expected to operate on a reduced schedule Monday.

Buses will operate on “snow routes” Monday, he said, which result in “small changes to their schedule.”

“We urge all passengers to check mbta.com as well as to download the MBTA Go app for all the latest information on that,” Coholan said.

Ferry operations on Monday for Hingham, Hull, Logan Airport and Boston will have reduced service and the Charlestown ferry will make fewer trips and run every 30 minutes, Coholan said.

“The MBTA is ready to adapt to whatever conditions this weather event brings us to make sure we can deliver our passengers safely,” Coholan said.

Eng said Saturday that work on the Blue Line was ramped up in order to restore service Sunday afternoon for the storm. Buses had previously been scheduled through the weekend between Bowdoin and Orient Heights. On the Mattapan line, he said it’s likely trolleys will be replaced with buses due to snow accumulation.

A truck ban will also be enacted, with the exception of trucks delivering food, medical supplies and fuel, Gulliver said Saturday.

“Please be safe. This is going to be a difficult storm,” Gulliver said.