Post-Christmas Blizzard to Bring Over Foot of Snow
Story Updated 6:36PM Sunday, December 26, 2010
– Allison Goldsberry
The first major storm of the winter season is expected to dump a foot to a foot and a half of snow on Medford and the region, according to the National Weather Service.
A blizzard warning is in effect until 6PM Monday. Heavy snow is supposed to start falling late Sunday afternoon, with wind and snow increasing in intensity into the evening. The heaviest snow is forecast for Sunday night into Monday morning, with two to four inches per hour possible at times. The snow is expected to taper off to flurries by Monday afternoon.
The Weather Service warns of “extremely dangerous” travel conditions Sunday night. Power outages are also possible, with wet heavy snow and high winds bashing power lines throughout the storm. Winds will be twenty to thirty miles per hour during the storm with gusts of up to fifty miles per hour.
The city of Medford has declared a snow emergency as of 4PM Sunday afternoon until further notice. That means no parking on designated emergency arteries and parking only on the even side of the street until the snow emergency is lifted.
The following are considered emergency arteries:
Boston Avenue, Central Avenue, College Avenue from George Street to Boston Avenue, Forest Street, Fulton Street, George Street, Governors Avenue, Grove Street, Hancock Street, Harvard Avenue, Harvard Street, High Street, Lawrence Road, Main Street, Medford Street, Mystic Avenue from Main Street to Crescent Street, Playstead Road, Riverside Avenue, Salem Street, Spring Street, Washington Street, Webster Street, Willis Avenue, Winthrop Street and Woburn Street.
A message from Medford Police Captain Barry Clemente said cars that are parked on emergency arteries or on the wrong side of the road could potentially be towed.
Monday’s trash and recycling pickup has been postponed until Tuesday due to the blizzard. Waste Management will do Monday’s pickup on Tuesday, and all other pickups this week will remain on schedule.