Weather
Worcester Parking Ban, Closing Start Ahead Of Blizzard
The main message to Worcester residents during the storm: stay home if you can.
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester is going into emergency mode ahead of a blizzard set to hit the region beginning early Saturday morning.
A citywide parking ban goes into effect at midnight on Saturday — that means no parking on major arteries, and no parking on the even side of any neighborhood street. City parking garages are open and free after 5:30 p.m. Friday to use during the parking ban.
"Motorists are urged to stay off the roads during the storm unless travel is absolutely necessary so that crews can plow streets effectively. In addition, due to the high winds, low visibility, and snow drifts expected, pedestrians and children should stay off the roadways on Jan. 29 for their own safety," the city manager's office said in a news release.
The city also announced a series of municipal closures on Saturday: all the libraries and the ice skating rink behind City Hall will be closed.
The city also reminded residents about an ordinance requiring property owners to clear snow on sidewalks abutting their property.
The National Weather Service extended a blizzard warning east to the Worcester County border on Friday morning. Even though Worcester is not in the blizzard zone, the city could see snow totals around 20 inches, plus strong wind gusts above 40 mph.
The snow will begin shortly after midnight Saturday, and could last for until the early morning hours on Sunday, according to forecasts.
