You may want to stock up on your bread, eggs, toilet paper and — especially — a shovel or two, as the first large snow storm in the past two years is expected to hit the region Saturday night into Sunday.
“We usually see them last minute,” said Thomas Daugirda, store manager of the Aubuchon Hardware store in Haverhill. “People don’t realize they need a shovel until the last minute.”
Aubuchon Hardware, at 233 Lincoln Ave., is expecting large lines of last-minute shoppers about five to six hours before the storm hits, Daugirda said. He added this is how it’s always been since he’s worked at the store.
People will line up for shovels, salt, sand and batteries to cope with the first major snow since a blizzard at the beginning of 2022, according to Kristie Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
“It’s going to be a great day to just cuddle up with some hot chocolate or coffee,” Smith said.
The Merrimack Valley and Southwest New Hampshire can expect “moderate snow accumulation” both Saturday night and throughout Sunday, according to the National Weather Service’s report issued at 7:05 a.m. on Friday.
Residents will face consistent temperatures in the 20s on both days, with each day having a nearly 100% chance of snow.
People can expect between eight inches and a foot of snow in-land, according to Smith. Those on the coast may get as little as one to three inches, or escape with only rain.
“With most of our storms, the really tricky area is going to be the I-95 corridor,” Smith said, adding the discrepancy in elevation throughout the Merrimack Valley can greatly affect the amount of snow one area gets versus another.
Wind gusts on Sunday are expected to reach up to 30 miles per hour.
“Fortunately it’s Sunday so we won’t have any of the commuters,” Smith said. “It crowds the plows. It makes cleanup harder. People get into accidents they don’t need to.”
Encouraging preparedness
Gov. Maura Healey warned of possible hazardous travel, encouraging public preparedness in a press release Friday.
“Although we don’t anticipate a record-breaking snowfall, our administration has been taking early steps to ensure we are prepared to keep the people of Massachusetts safe — and we encourage everyone to do the same,” Healey said.
“Recognizing that we’re no strangers to snowy winters, I’m asking Massachusetts residents to take steps to protect yourselves and your loved ones by making sure your homes stay safely heated and traveling on roads with extra care.”
Andover had already started laying a brine solution of water and salt a few days before the storm, according to Christopher Cronin, director of public works. He said immediately prior to the snow, the department will pre-treat again with rock salt.
Since there was barely any snow last year, Cronin said the salt shed is full and the town had to only buy a small amount so far this season.
“There’s nothing terribly unique about this storm,” Cronin said. “We’re hopeful.”
Snow plowing on the roads will start once there is about an inch and a half to two inches of snow, Cronin said.
The sidewalks, however, will be plowed earlier. Typically, public works waits until the end of the storm to address the sidewalks, but Cronin said they want to “make sure schools can open on Monday.”
Parking ban details
Cities and towns throughout the region have released information about potential winter parking bans.
In Andover, during a snow emergency parking ban, no parking is allowed at any time on any streets except by fire, police, public works or any other public safety vehicles or public utility repair vehicles.
Cronin, however, does not expect the town to issue a ban.
In Haverhill, if a snow emergency is declared by the Commissioner of Public Works, no parking is allowed on both sides of Emerson, Essex, Merrimack, White and Winter Streets. Main Street from Merrimack Street to Monument Square; River Street from County Bridge to View Street; Washington Street from Washington Square to County Bridge; and Water Street from Main Street to Mill Street are also off-limits for emergency routes.
In Lawrence, the mayor issued a statement late Friday saying that due to the storm conditions, all-night parking is permitted at the following locations from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Monday:
The exterior of the Breen School, yard only; the James F. Leonard School playground, south side; Arlington School on Arlington Street; exterior of Rollins School, Platt Street only; Parthum School, playground area to East Haverhill Street revised.
Another location for parking is at the Storrow Park parking lot.
Also, if a snow and ice emergency is issued by the mayor, as expected, winter alternate parking is enacted between 12:01 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, meaning vehicles are only allowed to park on one side of the street.
On even-numbered dates, vehicles are to be parked on the even-numbered side of the streets. On odd-numbered dates, the cars are to be parked on the odd-number sides of the street. To find where alternate parking is allowed, visit cityoflawrence.com/154/emergency-winter-parking-ban or call 978-620-3090.
In North Andover, during a snow emergency, no one can park on any street or way. During the period of the order, parking is allowed so that two tires are within one foot of the cub or sidewalk and a minimum of 20-feet away from an intersection or 10-feet from a fire hydrant on the odd side of Saunders, Church, Ashland Streets, the 400 block of Stevens Street as well as Marblehead Street from Union to Middlesex; Beverly Street from Union Street to the dead end; and Thorndike Road from Sutton Street to Troy Road.
It is also allowed on the even side only of Stonington, Lincoln, Perry, Annis Streets, Norman Road, and on Union Street from Beverly Street to Marblehead Street as well as Beverly Street from Middlesex to Union.
Parking is not allowed in municipal lots for more than 48 hours. Vehicles in violation will be towed at the owner’s expense.
In Methuen, should a parking ban be activated, all parking is prohibited on any public way once the ban is initiated. In the event the ban is enforced, public parking will be available at the parking lot on the corner of Lawrence Street and East Street at the baseball field, the Pelham Street Park and Ride and any other municipal parking lots throughout the city.
Outside help needed
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is still seeking full-time and seasonal drivers, according to Marshall Hook, communications project manager.
“MassDOT also relies heavily on vendors that provide snow-fighting equipment as well as drivers,” Hook said.
MassDOT announced two weeks ago the winners of the “name a snowplow contest,” for elementary and middle school students in recognition of the dedication of public works employees during the winter season.
Winning plow names included Flower Plower, Edward Blizzardhands, Snow B Wan Kenobi, Sleetwood Mac, Snow-hemian Rhapsody and Snow Monstah.
The department has has over 3,500 pieces of equipment and drivers, according to Hook. MassDOT is still actively looking for plow and drivers for the season, as flashing billboards on the highway indicate. The shortage can be linked to different factors, including a lack of drivers with a commercial license, and a lower-than-average snowfall in the past several years, Hook said.
“We remain confident that there are still enough to deal with any weather events,” Hook said. “The current shortage of drivers and equipment will require the movement of equipment around the state based on the needs in any given weather event.”
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