What The Snow Storm Means For Newton

NEWTON, MA — With the weekend expected to bring anywhere between 3 and 6 inches of snow to Newton, the police announced that means don't park your car on snow emergency routes for early Sunday, Dec. 10.. And as much as possible, plan to stay off the roads during that time.

"A Snow Emergency will be in effect on Sunday December 10th from 1-8 am," Tweeted Newton Police Friday afternoon. But the police department left the possibility for that to change depending on weather conditions.

The police in conjunction with the DPW make the call on whether a snow emergency will be called and the town will push out alert notifications, said a representative from city hall.

At this point snowfall is expected to develop during the Saturday morning hours and continue throughout the day and into the evening. The storm is then predicted to taper off throughout the overnight hours.

Read the MA Weather Outlook: Winter Weather Advisory As Storm Readies

MassDOT announced folks should minimize driving if at all possible, consider public transportation if they are traveling throughout Saturday, and make informed and safe decisions before heading out onto the roadways.

“The weather forecast is calling for snow to begin on Saturday morning, mix with sleet or rain throughout the day, and continue in the evening hours, decreasing visibility and braking time,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver in a statement. “Our greatest priority is ensuring the safety of the traveling public and we encourage everyone to make smart, informed decisions if they must head out onto the roadways on Saturday, drive the conditions, and exercise safe driving behavior.”

MassDOT said it was prepped and ready for the snow.

Crews will be pretreating state roadways throughout the Commonwealth with brine and Magnesium Chloride, and planning deployments of snowplows and spreaders and maintenance equipment. MassDOT’s Highway Division has as many as 700 staff members specifically to work on snow and ice removal operations on more than 15,000 lanes miles of roadway throughout the state.

This snow and ice season, MassDOT will have approximately 4,200 pieces of state and vendor equipment available using over 150 depots and storage locations. This includes over 1,300 plow and spreader combos, 2,100 plows, and 460 front-end loaders.

If you have to go out?

MassDOT recommends driving slower speeds, giving yourself extra time to reach your destinations, and “Don’t Crowd the Plow,” and stay behind snow removal equipment on the roadways.

For updates on road and traffic conditions in Massachusetts, drivers can:

• Dial 511 before heading out onto the roadways and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
• Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information, access to traffic cameras, and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
• Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions
• Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

Other important winter driving tips include:

· Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights, even the hood and roof, before driving, (start with the tailpipe).

· Leave plenty of room for stopping.

· Remember that the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.

· Use brakes carefully. Brake early. Brake correctly. It takes more time and distance to stop in adverse conditions.

· Bridge decks freeze first. Due to the difference in the exposure to air, the surface condition can be worse on a bridge than on the approach road.

· Exit ramps are an even greater challenge during the winter since they may have received less anti-icing material than the main line.

· Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows – stay back at least 200 feet and don’t pass on the right.

· Seat belts should be worn at all times – it’s the law.

· Most importantly please remember to slow down.

Please review more information on safe winter driving.

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