Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The City of Boston declared a snow emergency ahead of what could be the city's first major snowstorm in over two years.
The National Weather Service forecasts Boston will get between eight inches to a foot of snow during the storm that's expected to start overnight Monday into Tuesday. The heaviest snow is expected to fall between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declared a snow emergency for the city, the first time she's done so since January 2022. A parking ban will go into effect at 10 p.m. Monday, meaning any vehicles parked on major roads and main arteries will be towed. Boston Public School students will also have a snow day.
Mayor Wu said the city's Public Works Department will use its 800 pieces of snow-clearing equipment to help treat the roads before any snow starts falling. The city will tap into its reserve of 40,000 tons of salt to treat roadways.
"The goal is to be efficient with how we are supporting residents," the mayor said.
City officials also want residents to make sure to clear snow from their property promptly. The city said all curbs and pedestrian ramps should cleared completely and continually throughout the storm. Snow should not be cleared into the street or sidewalk.
"If snow isn't cleared right away it will turn into ice and then we're in a bad spot after that," Mayor Wu said. "In order to prevent later slips, falls, and injuries we are asking people to get this done sooner rather than later."
Residents looking for parking can park in participating garages in the city for either free or at a discounted rate starting at 8 p.m. on Monday night. Residents in all neighborhoods except the South End are allowed to shovel out parking spots and use space savers up until 48 hours after the end of the snow emergency.
WBZ's Jay Willet (@JayWilletWBZ) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok