City of Boston-Snow Emergency

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today declared a snow emergency ahead of the forecasted winter storm that is scheduled to begin tomorrow morning and end Tuesday afternoon. Total snow accumulations are expected to be upwards of 12 inches, and winds as high as 45 mph are expected. Residents are advised that a parking ban will take effect starting at noon tomorrow, when vehicles parked on major roads and main arteries will start to be towed.

The City is urging residents to abide by snow regulations and encouraging all commuters to use caution when traveling during the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes. Dry weather, paired with colder temperatures and wind chill, are anticipated on Wednesday and Thursday following the storm.

• A snow emergency has been declared, starting Monday, February 1, 2021 at noon. A parking ban will also take effect at noon tomorrow. All vehicles parked on a posted snow emergency artery will be towed beginning at noon on Monday. Residents can find a list of free and discounted garages online. Parking at participating garages will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday.
• Trash and recycling pick-up will continue on a regular schedule on Monday, February 1, and Tuesday, February 2. Residents are encouraged to download the Trash Day App for more information on their trash and recycling pick-up schedule.
• Overnight street sweeping on main roads, arterials, and commercial roads is canceled until further notice. Updates will be provided on Boston.gov when nighttime street sweeping is scheduled to resume.
• All Boston Public Schools (BPS) students, including students who were scheduled to report for in-person learning, will attend classes online on both Monday and Tuesday for a partial day that will end 2.5 hours earlier than the regularly scheduled dismissal time. There will be no in-person learning on Monday and Tuesday, and all BPS buildings will be closed on those days.
• In-person learning for Boston Public Schools students will resume on Thursday, February 4, 2021.
• As indicated in signage posted in BPS school parking lots, parking is not allowed in these lots during snowstorms. Vehicles may be towed if they are parked in BPS parking lots during the snow emergency.
• BPS meal distribution sites will be open on Monday, February 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BYCF) meal sites will be closed on Monday. Residents are encouraged to check with their non-BPS meal sites for hours.
• The City-sponsored mobile COVID-19 testing site at the Anna M. Cole Community Center in Jamaica Plain will be closed on Monday. For other updates on testing site availability and closures, please check our testing website.
• The City-sponsored COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College is opening as scheduled on Monday, February 1, and Tuesday, February 2, for people with appointments.

• Property owners must fully clear snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting the property within three hours after the snowfall ends or three hours after sunrise if the snow ends overnight.
• Curb and pedestrian ramps to the street should be cleared fully and continually over the duration of the storm to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. If a storm will last over an extended period of time, property owners are asked to continually check ramps abutting their property for compliance.
• Removal of snow, ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited.

Note: Failure to comply with the rules can result in fines issued by the Public Works Department’s Code Enforcement Division. Fines associated with improper removal of snow can be found online.

“I am urging everyone to be ready and prepared for tomorrow’s forecasted snowstorm,” said Mayor Walsh. “All of our residents and workers should take precautions on our roads and sidewalks, particularly during the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes. Our Public Works Department will be working around the clock to pre-treat and clean our roads, and I thank them for their hard work. We are asking residents and businesses to do their part by staying safe, shoveling their sidewalks and walkways, clearing catch basins and the area around fire hydrants, and by offering help to your older neighbors and residents with disabilities. The City of Boston will continue to share updates throughout the storm.”

Please check our website for the latest information on the snow emergency in the City of Boston.