Weather

Wu declares snow emergency, closes Boston schools

A major storm will hit Boston Tuesday, closing schools and necessitating parking bans throughout the city.

By Ross Cristantiello

February 12, 2024

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Ahead of a major snowstorm, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced that the city’s public schools will be closed Tuesday and urged all residents to stay at home. 

Wu declared a snow emergency to begin at 10 p.m. Monday. As of Monday morning, the storm was projected to dump between 8 and 12 inches of snow on Boston. It will start early Tuesday morning and could potentially last throughout the afternoon. 

“Please stay off the roads tomorrow. Wherever possible, make plans to be indoors,” Wu said. “It’s looking like it will come down pretty heavily, pretty fast.”

Parking bans will be in effect on major roadways and arteries. A map of the impacted areas can be found on the city’s website. Residents who normally park on those streets can access free and discounted parking at garages throughout the city. A list of those garages can also be found online. Residents can start using them for the snowstorm beginning at 8 p.m. Monday. 

Space savers can be used during declared snow emergencies, but must be cleared within 48 hours of the emergency ending. Space savers are banned in the South End and Bay Village. 

Parking in the lots of Boston Public Schools buildings is not allowed, and it will result in cars being towed, Wu said. 

All Boston Public Library branches and Boston Centers for Youth & Families locations will be closed Tuesday. City buildings will also be closed, and only emergency personnel will be required to report for work in person. 

“This is going to be our first major storm in two years. This nor’easter will be quick, but it will pack a punch,” Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge said.  

Snowfall rates are expected to reach up to 2 inches per hour during the peak of the storm. There is a risk of coastal flooding as well.

The city has around 40,000 tons of salt ready to be used, and workers have access to as many as 850 pieces of snow-clearing equipment, Wu said. 

She reminded residents that removing snow or ice from private property and pushing it into a public street or sidewalk is prohibited. Property owners must clear sidewalks within 3 hours of snowfall ending or 3 hours after sunrise if the snow ends overnight. Cold weather will set in after the storm, making it harder to remove ice and snow the longer one waits, officials said. Property owners are also responsible for clearing the curb ramps at crosswalks if their property abuts one. Unshoveled sidewalks can be reported to 311, and residents could be ticketed for failing to comply. 

Wu urged people to check in on seniors and homeless individuals. They should call 911 if anyone is found to be in danger. 

Emergency shelters will be open 24 hours and will take walk-ins. Wu singled out the men’s shelter at 112 Southampton St. and the women’s shelter at 794 Mass. Ave. The Boston Public Health Commission is working with shelters to make sure they have enough resources ahead of the storm. 

Trash, recycling, and food waste pickup will start at 4 a.m. Tuesday, so residents are encouraged to put out their bins Monday night. 

More information can be found at boston.gov/snow.