Hopefully it doesn’t get this bad in Boston after this storm.
Credit: Michael Naughton/Metro file photo
With up to 14 inches of snow predicted for much of Eastern Massachusetts many cities and towns in Greater Boston have declared a snow emergency meaning limited parking and other restrictions.
However, each of the snow emergencies takes effect at different times and means different things.
In Boston, Mayor Thomas Menino, in what will likely be his last storm as mayor, declared a snow emergency for the city that takes effect at noon on Thursday. That means parking will be prohibited on major arteries and in neighborhoods where parking is scarce, space savers can be used for up to 48 hours after the snow emergency ends. Certain parking garages are opening at 10 a.m. and are offering discounts to car owners with a resident sticker. Also, Boston Public Schools have been canceled for Friday.
A snow emergency also takes effect at noon Thursday in Cambridge. The city has 82 streets that restrict parking on either both sides or one side of the roadway during a snow emergency. There are also five parking facilities that allow for free parking to residents during a snow emergency.
In Somerville, the snow emergency went into effect at 8 a.m. on Thursday. Cars must be moved to the odd side of the street by noon. During a snow emergency, residents can park in a designated school lot or in a municipal lot and can remain there until two hours after the snow emergency is lifted. Meters citywide are not in effect during a snow emergency.
Quincy will put into effect a snow emergency starting at 4 p.m. and will continue until further notice. The city has also asked residents in low-lying costal areas to take normal precautions.
In Medford, a snow emergency takes effect at 6 p.m. meaning that parking will be restricted on major roadways and parking on side streets will be restricted to the odd side of the street only.
Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.
