NORTHAMPTON — Emergency responders were gearing up for a long-lasting storm that brought heaps of heavy, wet snow to the Pioneer Valley Sunday and was expected to continue into Monday afternoon.
As of Sunday night, the winter storm warning in effect Sunday by the National Weather Service for Hampshire County was expected to last through 1 p.m. Monday.
Though numerous school districts in Hampden County announced Monday school closures Sunday afternoon, few Hampshire County schools had followed suit as of 9 p.m.
Police reported several minor accidents, and Easthampton Police said Mount Tom Road would be closed until further notice.
Massachusetts state government will open at 11 a.m. Monday, two hours later than normal.
Leonore Correia, a Taunton-based meteorologist for the service, said to expect the steady snowfall that began Sunday morning to continue through the first half of Monday, aside from a possible lull overnight Sunday. She said the storm could drop between 8 and 12 inches of snow on the Northampton area. As of 4 p.m. Sunday, 5.1 inches had fallen in Amherst.
High temperatures Monday were expected to be in the low-30s and could peak above freezing, said Alan Dunham, a weather service meteorologist in Taunton. Temperatures were expected to dip into the teens Monday night.
Forecasters also predicted winds from 15 to 25 mph with gusts reaching 45 mph Monday.
Gov. Charlie Baker urged caution on the roads and said motorists should avoid unnecessary travel.
“As the storm continues, we ask everyone to use extreme caution when traveling and avoid unnecessary driving when possible, allowing crews to safely treat and clear roadways,” Baker said in a news release Sunday. “We will continue to monitor the forecast and keep the public informed as the storm progresses. We remind everyone to please assist neighbors in need, and to help keep sidewalks and fire hydrants clear.”
Baker said his office is coordinating response with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, National Weather Service, MassDOT and the Massachusetts State Police.
As of 1 p.m. Sunday, the speed limit on the Massachusetts Turnpike from the New York line to Worcester/Millbury had been reduced to 40 mph, Baker said.
As of Sunday evening, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation had 3,119 crews statewide treating and plowing roadways, according to the department. MassDOT said in a Tweet that roads were icy and to avoid travel.
Baker also urged residents to clear home and auto exhaust vents to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning and asked residents to help keep sidewalks, fire hydrants and storm drains clear.
Correia described Sunday and Monday’s snow as wet and dense, unlike the light and fluffy snow the area saw Thursday.
“You guys will get mostly all snow unlike the eastern part of southern New England,” Correia said.
A wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain was forecast for southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the islands.
After the expected overnight lull, the second wave of the winter storm will hit Monday morning, affecting the commute, Correia said.
The American Red Cross said Sunday in a statement the organization was coordinating with emergency managers for storm response.
“Planners in Cambridge, Springfield, Worcester, Lawrence and Hyannis are readying emergency plans and volunteers in case power outages accompany a winter storm forecasted for late Sunday into Monday morning,” the release said. “Strong winds and snow may impact much of Massachusetts.”
Jack Suntrup can be reached at jsuntrup@gazettenet.com.