Massachusetts

Massachusetts snow forecast: Up to 8 inches in spots, Boston-area estimate ‘a little tricky’

Published

8 months ago

January 27, 2024

Massachusetts snow forecast: Up to 8 inches in spots, Boston-area estimate ‘a little tricky’

It could be a tale of two storms across the region this weekend, with some areas digging out from several inches of snow while other residents might only see 1 to 2 inches.

Some spots in Massachusetts could get up to 8 inches of snow as the coastal storm hits New England from Sunday into Monday.

The National Weather Service’s initial forecast for Boston is 1 to 2 inches of snow, but that could certainly change.

“The forecast for Boston is a little tricky,” Frank Nocera, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office, told the Herald on Friday. “There’s not a lot of cold air on the front end of the system, so it will start off as rain, then mix with snow, and then all snow by Monday morning.

“The timing of the changeover to snow is definitely uncertain,” he added, noting that the storm hasn’t even formed yet a few days out. “We’re forecasting 1 to 2 inches of snow for Boston, but it could turn out to be more if the storm rapidly intensifies. It’s too early to tell.”

Forecasters are more confident that more than 4 inches of snow will fall across Worcester County, and along the higher terrain.

“That’s where it will be colder, so more snow will accumulate there,” Nocera said. “Closer to the coastline, it’s uncertain how quick that rain to snow changeover will happen.”

The Monday morning commute will likely be messy and slippery.

“There will definitely be some impacts,” Nocera said.

The National Weather Service has issued a “Winter Storm Watch” for northern Worcester and northern Middlesex counties, along with the eastern slopes of the Berkshires. Heavy snow will be possible.

“Travel could be very difficult,” NWS warned. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and possibly the Monday evening commute.”

Also with this storm, northeast wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph will be possible along the coast late Sunday into early Monday, with the strongest winds on Cape Cod and Nantucket.

Fortunately, astronomical high tides will be relatively low, so forecasters expect only some splashover and minor coastal flooding. However, beach erosion may be an issue for some of the coast that has been hard hit over the past month.

Overall with the tricky forecast, Nocera said residents should “check back this weekend.”

He added, “If the storm intensifies quickly, then there could be some heavier amounts.”

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Massachusetts

New Massachusetts bill would reinstate commercial driver’s licenses for hundreds of drivers

Published

1 hour ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

New Massachusetts bill would reinstate commercial driver’s licenses for hundreds of drivers

Hundreds of commercial drivers in Massachusetts could get licenses back if new bill passes

02:15

BOSTON – Relief may be on the way for hundreds of truck and bus drivers in Massachusetts, who lost their commercial driver’s licenses due to violations from decades ago.

Nearly 500 licenses revoked

Weeks ago, the I-Team uncovered that Registry of Motor Vehicles revoked the commercial driver’s licenses of nearly 500 drivers, effectively putting them out of work. Mike McDonald is one of the hundreds of commercial drivers that got caught up in the RMV dragnet. McDonald said losing his license means he can’t work and has no income coming in. He has been a truck driver for Ground Effects Landscaping in Carver for 17 years.

Until recently, the RMV had not fully enforced Melanie’s Law, which prohibits anyone charged with repeat drunk driving, refusing to take a breathalyzer or leaving the scene crashes from holding a commercial driver’s license, no matter how long ago the violations may have been. The law had been on the books for nearly 15 years.

It wasn’t until 2019 when a truck driver whose license should have been suspended was involved in a New Hampshire crash that killed seven members of a Marine motorcycle club. Since then, hundreds of drivers like McDonald have had their licenses and their livelihoods taken away.

10-year limit proposed

Now the I-Team has learned that the legislature is taking action with a new bill that would limit the look back period to 10 years, the same as the federal law. If it passes, it would allow drivers with clean records and no violations during the last decade to keep their licenses and their jobs.

Attorney Brian Simoneau represents dozens of drivers like McDonald. He told the I-Team, “What I’m hoping is the registry got the message loud and clear that this is outrageous and egregious and it’s a case of the punishment not fitting the crime. I’m hoping that this may pressure the registry now into delaying these disqualifications to give the legislature some more time to act because they can see that there is a huge strong interest in fixing this problem.”

All of this could happen quickly. If no one in the legislature objects to the bill it would pass quickly and move to the governor’s desk. If she signs it, the law would into effect immediately.

Cheryl Fiandaca

Cheryl Fiandaca is the chief investigative reporter for the I-Team at WBZ-TV.

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Massachusetts

Flags are at half-staff in Massachusetts today. Here’s why

Published

9 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Flags are at half-staff in Massachusetts today. Here’s why

Governor Maura Healey announced that state and national flags will fly at half-staff in Massachusetts on Friday, Sept. 27 to honor Pvt. Kwack K. Woo of Los Angeles, California.

Pvt. Woo served in the United States Army Infantry Division during World War II, during which he was killed in action in February 1945 near Biesdorf, Germany. Today, Sept. 27, the remains of Pvt. Woo will be laid to rest at the Massachusetts Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.

In honor of Pvt. Woo and his service to the country as he is brought to his final resting place, flags will be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset.

Why are flags flown at half-staff?

According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.

The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C. can order flags to fly at half-staff.

More: Quincy thanks vets with tax relief. What new benefits they’ll be getting

Half-staff vs. half-mast

While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.

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