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Snow Emergencies, Parking Bans Declared Across Mass.

This weekend’s storm could bring damaging wind and more than two feet of snow to parts of Massachusetts, making travel "nearly impossible"

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Some communities are declaring snow emergency parking bans as a major winter storm threatens two feet of snow or more to parts of New England on Saturday and a blizzard warning takes effect.

Our First Alert Weather team believes blizzard conditions will be realized throughout eastern Massachusetts, including the Boston area, the north shore, south shore and the south coast. Officials said wind-blown snow could make travel "nearly impossible."

Many communities are asking residents to move their cars and be patient as crews work to clear the roadways during the long-duration storm. Cities and towns across Massachusetts have declared snow emergencies, including the following:

Barnstable

Barnstable has issued a parking ban on all main streets starting at 2 a.m. Saturday and continuing through the storm. The town is considering plans to open three of its regional shelters.

Belmont

The City of Belmont declared a snow emergency parking ban on all roadways and municipal and Belmont Public School parking lots effective at 11:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 until further notice. All cars parked in violation of the ban will be towed at the
owner’s expense.

Boston

The City of Boston declared a snow emergency beginning at 9 p.m. Friday. Once in effect, any cars parked on major roads and main streets will be towed. Boston residents with a resident sticker can find a list of free and discounted garages here; and parking at participating garages will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.

Brookline

A parking ban is in effect in Brookline starting at 6 a.m. Saturday. During a declared snow emergency/parking ban, there is no on-street parking. All unauthorized vehicles remaining on the street or in the public lots without the proper permits will be issued citations and towed by Brookline Police Department. A decision on lifting the ban will be made late in the day Sunday. 

Cambridge

A snow emergency will go into effect in the City of Cambridge at 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28. Cars parked on streets that are signed “No Parking During Snow Emergency” will be ticketed and towed until the ban is lifted. Free parking will be offered at a number of off-street parking facilities starting at 6 p.m.

Danvers

Danvers issued a winter parking ban effective starting at 10 p.m. Friday. This prohibits all on-street parking.

Lowell

Lowell has issued a snow emergency parking ban, meaning parked cars must be off the streets as of 10 p.m. Friday until the ban is lifted. There is free parking available for residents starting at 4 p.m. at three locations - the George Ayotte Parking Facility, The Lower Locks Garage and the Hamilton Canal Garage. After the ban is lifted, residents will have two hours to retrieve their cars.

The city is also opening a warming center at the Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway Street, from 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 p.m.

Medford

The City of Medford declared a snow emergency effective at 10 p.m. Friday. On secondary roads, parking is allowed on the odd side of the street only. Cars parked on the even side of the street will be ticketed and towed. Absolutely no parking is permitted on main roadways.

Nashua, NH

The City of Nasha declared a snow emergency starting Saturday at 9 a.m. through Sunday at 9 a.m. There is no on-street or municipal surface lot parking allowed. Vehicles parked in these areas will be towed. Drivers may take advantage of free parking options in the Elm Street and High Street garages, effective immediately, but must not park in leased spaces between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, click here.

Newburyport

Newburyport has a parking ban in effect starting at 6 p.m. Friday. Parking is prohibited on all public roads until further notice. Police urged residents of Plum Island and the shore to consider evacuating, warning that emergency crews may not be able to reach them if there is significant flooding.

Newton

Newton has declared a snow emergency parking ban No cars will be allowed to park on the street in municipal lots or school parking lots starting at 6 a.m. Saturday. For updates on the snow emergency and when parking restrictions will lift, click here.

Property owners are also reminded that they must clear the sidewalk in front of their building within 24 hours of a storm's end for residential properties, and within 12 hours for commercial or residential buildings with four or more units.

Norwell

Norwell has declared a storm emergency. For local alerts and emergency contacts, click here.

Plymouth

The Town of Plymouth has announced a snow emergency. Residents are advised to avoid travel if possible and to monitor local forecasts. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for Plymouth County Friday night through Sunday morning

Overnight Friday Night: Snow develops after midnight, low around 18. Increasing winds. Saturday: Snow, heavy at times, 1 to 2 feet. Blizzard-like conditions. Winds 20 to 30+ MPH, gusting 40 to 50 MPH. Highs around 20.

New Bedford

The mayor of New Bedford has declared a state of emergency due to the storm. An emergency parking ban in effect starting Friday at 8 p.m. Parking is permitted on the north side of all streets going east and west, and on the east side of all streets going north and south. Existing parking restrictions for streets that require parking on a particular side remain in effect. For more information on restricted areas and alternate parking locations during the emergency, click here.

Salem

Salem has a snow emergency in effect starting at midnight on Friday. There is no street parking allowed during the emergency, and vehicles that do not comply will be towed. For information on parking alternatives and snow rates, click here.

Somerville

The City of Somerville declared a snow emergency effective at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28. Residents have until 8 p.m. to move their cars to the odd-numbered side of the street. Exceptions are noted by nearby signs.

Stoneham

The Town of Stoneham will be declaring a snow parking emergency beginning
at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 through Monday, Jan. 31 at 7 a.m. All on-street parking is prohibited. Cars parked on roadways will be towed. Residents are being asked to help clear fire hydrants and keep catch basins clear if they become covered.

Swansea

A parking ban went into effect at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 28, and will remain in place until 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 30. Any vehicle that is in violation of the parking ban will be towed and the vehicle owner will be given a ticket.

Waltham

A snow emergency parking ban takes effect at midnight on Friday, Jan. 28 in Waltham. No on-street parking is permitted. All cars are subject to tow while the parking ban is in effect. Cars may park in municipal and school parking lots after the school day ends. Once lifted, cars must be removed from school parking lots within two hours.

Watertown

A snow emergency was declared in Watertown, effective at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 until further notice. On-street parking is banned. Any cars left on the street will be subject to tow.

Worcester

The City of Worcester declared a winter parking ban effective at 12 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29. Municipal parking garages will be free of charge to any vehicle that enters after 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28 until the declared winter parking ban is lifted.

This story is developing. Refresh for updates.

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