By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON SHUTS SCHOOLS AGAIN
BOSTON — After 15 inches of snowfall in the last 24 hours, ongoing snow and windy conditions and more snow forecast later this week, Michelle Wu is pulling the plug on classes.
Boston Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The District says crews need another day to sufficiently clear sidewalks and widen main roadways for children, families and the 700 bus fleet to maneuver across all streets safely.
Boston Public Library branches, senior centers, and Boston Centers for Youth & Families will reopen at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday. All other municipal buildings and city services will operate regular hours.
The snow emergency and parking ban remain in effect until at least Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Space savers? Remove them 48 hours after the end of the snow emergency. They are prohibited at all times in the South End and Bay Village. Violators risk having them collected and discarded by the Public Works Department.
“I’m grateful to all of our city teams who have been working around the clock through this nor’easter. We ask that everyone continue to stay safe and warm, look out for your neighbors and stay off the roads to support our public works and public safety teams,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we continue to prioritize getting our roadways clear, please call 911 if you see anyone outside who needs assistance and report issues through the 311 app so our team can assist with downed trees or wires. With more snow forecasted for later this week, it’s critical that residents shovel out the sidewalks and crosswalks in front of your property so we can all be safe. We thank everyone for their patience and staying tuned for more updates.”
Trash and recycling? Delayed one day across all neighborhoods.
Shelters are open 24/7. Nearly 600 guests were sheltered last night. Today, 250 people have utilized shelters. Close to 1,300 meals have been prepared since the start of the winter emergency.
Property owners have until 10 a.m. Tuesday to clear sidewalks to a 42-inch path. Violations will be issued for noncompliance or for shoveling snow into the street.
Volunteers are mobilizing for citywide snow shoveling meet-ups.
STATE OF EMERGENCY — PARTIAL LIFT
On Beacon Hill, Maura Healey is adjusting the map.
The blizzard state of emergency has been lifted for Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
The state of emergency continues for all other counties.
The travel ban remains in effect for Bristol, Plymouth and Barnstable counties and has been extended to Dukes County.
An additional 150 members of the Massachusetts National Guard have been activated to assist with snow and debris removal, transportation and rescues.
“While the worst of the storm is behind us and much of the state is turning to shoveling out, conditions remain severe and dangerous across Southeastern Massachusetts,” said Governor Healey. “We need everyone to stay off the roads for their own safety and to allow our crews to do their work – especially in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties and on the Vineyard. We will also have additional members of the National Guard assisting municipalities with snow and debris removal, transportation, non-fire related emergency responses, rescues and any other needs. It will take some time for crews to address snow removal and power outages, so we urge everyone to remain cautious and patient while we work to get things back to normal.”
She has directed that non-emergency Executive Department state employees should not report to their workplaces Tuesday and is urging employers to consider remote work, especially in areas under the travel ban.
The speed limit on the Massachusetts Turnpike has been reduced to 40 miles per hour.
“This is a serious storm, and there are dangerous road conditions out there, especially on the South Coast. We have reports of abandoned and stuck cars on the roads, and tow trucks are having difficulty getting to them,” said Governor Healey. “While this travel ban is limited to the South Coast, we urge everyone across the state to stay off the roads for your safety and for the safety of plow drivers and emergency officials who are trying to do their jobs. Thank you to everyone who has stayed home and to those who are doing this hard work during extremely challenging conditions.”
The travel ban exemptions are extensive — public safety, public works, transportation, utility crews, healthcare personnel, news media, snow removal, critical supply chains and urgent medical travel among them.
WORCESTER LOCKED DOWN
In Worcester, all municipal buildings, including Worcester Public Schools, all Worcester Public Library branches, Worcester City Hall, the Worcester Senior Center, and the Residential Drop-Off Center, will remain closed Tuesday, February 24.
City Hall will open at 5 p.m. for the City Council meeting.
Trash and recycling collection is canceled Tuesday.
The Winter Weather Emergency and Declared Parking Ban remain in effect until further notice.
CONNECTICUT LIFTS TRAVEL ORDER
In Connecticut, Ned Lamont terminated the emergency order prohibiting commercial vehicle travel effective 4:00 p.m. Monday.
But the warning remains blunt.
“While the worst part of the storm has passed, lingering snowfall remains and it is going to take some time for plow crews to fully clear the roads, which is why I continue to urge everyone to stay off the roads for the remainder of Monday unless absolutely necessary,” Governor Lamont said. “If you must travel, leave early, take it slow, and keep a good distance from the plows.”
Interstates are improving. Local and secondary roads will take longer.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island continue to have certain travel restrictions. Crossing state lines? Check first.
The storm may be easing in spots. The operational grind is not.