With a storm expected to cover Massachusetts with snow, Gov. Charlie Baker has closed state offices Thursday and is urging people to stay off the roads.
“Tomorrow’s weather will create hazardous driving conditions across much of the Commonwealth. To prioritize public safety, we are asking everyone to stay off the roads and to use public transportation if necessary so road crews can safely clear snow,” Baker said in a statement on Wednesday.
Most school districts in the Valley have cancelled school for Thursday.
Meteorologist Eleanor Vallier-Talbot of the National Weather Service expected snow to start falling in the Valley after midnight Thursday and to pick up to a moderate to heavy snowfall after sunrise.
Snow will continue throughout the day with a total accumulation of 6 to 10 inches with a high temperature of 22 degrees, Vallier-Talbot said. Wind is expected to increase in the afternoon.
“We’re expecting the winds to be really gusty … 35 mph to 40 mph for some gusts,” Vallier-Talbot said.
With the blowing snow, Vallier-Talbot said there’s a concern for power outages from falling tree limbs. National Grid has over 200 crews standing by to assist in any outages, according to the company’s website.
“If you don’t have to go out tomorrow, don’t,” Vallier-Talbot said.
Temperatures are predicted to drop to a low of 3 degrees Thursday night, according to the weather service. Friday is expected to have a high of 9 degrees and a low of -7 degrees with high wind gusts, according to the service.
Both the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the State Police issued advisories warning people of the hazardous conditions
“Our snow and ice personnel will be treating and clearing our roadways and infrastructure as conditions warrant and we advise everyone to consider measures such as working from home, delaying travel plans, and if travel is mandatory, allowing extra time for commutes and dressing warmly,” Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack said in a statement.
MassDOT crews have been pretreating roads across the Commonwealth with brine and Magnesium Chloride, according to the department. Up to 700 staff members from the highway division will perform snow and ice removal operations on more 15,000 lane miles of roadway, the department said in a statement.
The state police listed tips to stay safe during the storm.
For those who will be driving, police say to make sure the vehicle is property equipped for the winter weather. Police said to check fluid levels — particularly washer fluid and anti-freeze, and inspect tires to make sure they are properly inflated.
With temperatures expected to drop after the storm, police are also warning people of black ice that may form on the roadway.
“If you notice ice forming on any objects, assume that it is forming on the road surface as well,” police said. “Bridges are usually the first surfaces to freeze. Drive slowly, and if possible, avoid driving on iced-over surfaces.”
And with the increased number of snow plows on the road, police said don’t “crowd the plow.”
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.