Tuesday’s blizzard dumped almost a foot of snow on Boston, but it was the strong winds and freezing rain that proved far more ferocious.
Despite getting fewer inches than expected, Mayor Marty Walsh said Winter Storm Stella still delivered as far as wind and ice were concerned.
“We’re not getting the accumulation we thought we were going to have, but conditions are as if we were getting 20 inches of snow,” Walsh said during an afternoon press conference. “I’m looking out the window right now and it’s still coming down sideways.” The National Weather Service reported wind gusts of up to 54 mph in Boston, and into the 70s in other parts of Massachusetts. In Wellfleet on Cape Cod, gusts were reported at 79 mph, which is hurricane force, the NWS said. Stella blew through much of the Northeast on Tuesday, dumping more than two feet of snow in places, cutting power to thousands and forcing the cancellation of more than 6,000 flights at airports.
As snow turned to sleet and freezing rain Tuesday evening, Walsh announced Boston Public Schools would remain closed for a second day on Wednesday.
“I don’t want kids and young children walking around on icy streets that might not be shoveled, Kids are kids and I don’t want them to put themselves into harm’s way,” Walsh said.
All standaloneBoston Centers for Youth and Familieswill be open as a resource for children of parents who still have to go to work.
Freezing temperatures are expected to return by week’s end, with more snow a possibility on Sunday.
Walsh said the major focus Wednesday and in the days ahead would be to get roads cleared down to the pavement.
“So if we do get another storm, it won’t be like it was a couple years ago,” he said.
Power outages
Winds in excess of 50 mph knocked down trees and powerlines across the city, cutting power to 1,450 Bostonians. About half were still without power during the late afternoon on Tuesday.
“We expect that number to go up today because of the heavy snow that’s falling now.” the mayor said. “When you have snow on trees, ice on trees, eventually some of these are going to come down.” In one particularly frightening near-miss, a tractor trailer skidded and jacknifed on the Zakim Bridge around noon. It was caught on the bridge surveillance camera, and no one was injured.
Our crews are working as quickly & safely as possible to restore power in @CityOfBoston & #CambMA. We appreciate your patience!— Eversource MA (@EversourceMA) March 14, 2017
Public transportation
More than 400 planes were grounded at Logan airport throughout the day Tuesday as winds in excess of 50 mph howled through Boston, but trains and buses were up and running.
RELATED: More than 6,300 flights canceled Tuesday during snowstorm As the MBTA took on its second test since investing more than $100 million in winter weather preparedness, passengers experienced few weather-related delays, officials said.
Power outages delayed Orange line riders for about an hour and a downed tree near Quincy station slowed Red line riders.
“The T had a good day,” spokesman Joe Pesaturo said.
Tks @MBTA for working to maintain the public transportation during the blizzard! pic.twitter.com/dhLgfOQ6Zc— Mariana Paes (@marianapma) March 14, 2017
