Due to the advancing snow storm, the Town of Sturbridge is following the advice of the Sturbridge DPW Director and Governor Charles Baker and is asking people to stay off the roads. As a result, the Town offices will be closed today, February 9th.
Yesterday, Governor Baker closed nearly all state offices and made the following statement; “Tomorrow’s forecast is expected to create hazardous driving conditions across many parts of the Commonwealth. To prioritize public safety, we are asking everyone to stay off the roads to allow crews to safely clear snow or use public transportation. Please assist us by shoveling driveways and sidewalks in your communities, and be sure to lend a hand to neighbors in need.”
As the Town Administrator I ask all residents and visitors in Sturbridge to be safe during the impending weather event.
Our public safety partners from the Mass. Emergency Management Agency is calling for massive amounts of now and has issued the following weather advisory.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a major winter storm to move into Massachusetts from west to east, starting before dawn Thursday morning and falling at as much as 2-3 inches per hour. Snowfall will continue through the day on Thursday before tapering off to snow showers Thursday evening. Temperatures will drop throughout the day Thursday and reach single digits Thursday night.
Snowfall Accumulation:
The NWS has a high degree of confidence that much of the Commonwealth will experience total snowfall accumulation of at least 8-14 inches, with locally higher amounts of up to 18 inches.
Winds:
Strong northeasterly winds will develop around midday Thursday across eastern and southeastern MA, including the Cape and Islands. The strongest winds are expected to occur during the afternoon hours, and continue through the evening. Sustained winds of 25-35 mph and gusts of up to 60 mph are possible.
Coastal Flooding:
Splashover and/or areas of minor coastal flooding are possible, mainly around the Thursday morning high tide (between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM).
Impacts:
* Snow will begin early in the morning commute, and become heavy quickly. Both morning and afternoon commutes will be significantly impacted by this storm.
* Snowfall rates of 2- 3" per hour.
* Dangerous travel with snow covered roads.
* Blowing snow could produce visibility of a quarter of a mile or less. Whiteout conditions possible. Blowing and drifting snow will continue to pose a hazard even after snowfall tapers off Thursday night.
* Blizzard conditions possible on the Cape and Islands and coastal South Shore Thursday afternoon and evening.
* Possible downed tree limbs.
* Isolated power outages.
* Single digit temperatures and potential for sub-zero wind chills starting Thursday night and lasting into Friday morning.
Leon A. Gaumond Jr.
Town Administrator
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