Snow forecast triggers parking bans, school cancellations

LOWELL >> In a late winter storm surge, Greater Lowellians can expect six to 12 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour from Monday night to Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Travel is expected to be “very difficult to impossible,” according to the

NWS. The expected snow triggered both Lowell and Chelmsford to issue emergency parking bans.

In Lowell, the ban will be in effect starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. and continue indefinitely. Lowell Police are directing residents to park for free beginning at 7 p.m. Monday in three of the city’s parking garages: Hamilton Canal Garage, George Ayotte Parking Garage and Lower Locks Garage.

Once the snow emergency is lifted, residents will have two hours to move their vehicles to avoid paying a fee.

Chelmsford will not allow street parking from 1 a.m. Tuesday to 12 p.m. Wednesday. Vehicles not in compliance may be ticketed and towed, according to police.

The nor’easter will also postpone Umass Lowell’s Alumni Showcase, a free and public event where graduate and Boston Police Superintendent Nora Baston was scheduled to speak about her career and college memories at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. A new date has yet to be chosen.

Umass Lowell, including its Haverhill campus, will be closed on Tuesday due to the inclement weather, but online classes will continue as scheduled. A campus parking ban is in effect from 10 p.m. Monday, with parking permitted only in designated areas.

Middlesex Community College also announced its Lowell and Bedford campuses would be closed Tuesday, cancelling all day and evening classes and events.

As of 9 p.m. Monday, area schools announcing Tuesday closures included Ayer-shirley Regional, Littleton, Nashoba Tech, North Middlesex Regional

and Nashua, N.H. Some districts, like Billerica and Dracut, cited uncertain forecasts in delaying any decisions until Tuesday morning. Districts cancelled school or delayed start times two weeks ago, when the area was hit with several inches of snow.

The storm is expected to impact Lawrence, Framingham and Worcester, as well as parts of northern

Connecticut and northern Rhode Island. Western Massachusetts and north of Fitchburg could see up to a foot and a half — or more — of snow.

“The biggest snow totals will be in the higher elevations of northern Worcester County and in the slopes of the Berkshires, where they could see 18 inches,” said Alan Dunham, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office. “Locally, some spots could see up to 22 inches.”

The winter storm warning is in effect from 8 p.m. Monday to 8 a.m. Wednesday.

For those that need to travel, the NWS advises they carry extra supplies, including food, water and a flashlight, in their car. Flights arriving and departing may also be impacted by the storm.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation stated the conditions will result in “poor visibility,” and the heavy, wet snow may cause power outages and coastal flooding. MASSDOT plans to treat and possibly plow roads in Eastern Massachusetts.

“We advise anyone traveling in the next few days to check weather forecasts to

assist in making decisions about their trips, including what time to travel and what route to take,” Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said.

National Grid warned that snow could damage trees and power wires, which could cause power outages. More than 1,000 field-based crews and more than 3,000 personnel will assist with emergency response operations, which will include downed wires, damage assessments, transmission and more. As the company monitors the situation, customers are asked to report outages at nationalgridus.com or by calling 1-800-465-1212.

People are advised to not touch downed power lines, keep bottled drinking water and canned food on hand and check on older loved ones or neighbors who could need help. Those operating a generator should do so outside and disconnect from the National Grid system before using them.

For residents with natural gas who may suspect a leak, National Grid advises they leave the house quickly, not use the phone or light switches and call the company once in a safe place.

Boston Herald reporter Rick Sobey contributed to this report.