Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is urging people to stay off the roads ahead of a winter storm that may yield upwards of 24 inches of snow in some parts of the state.
The storm is forecasted to begin Friday night and pick up significantly on Saturday morning. The National Weather Service predicts two to four inches of snow will fall every hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. tomorrow, according to Baker.
“This is going to be a very big storm. Probably one of the biggest we’ve experienced in the last few years,” Baker said.
“This kind of storm is nothing new for Massachusetts, but we have not had one like this for quite a while and everybody needs to take it very seriously.”
While snowfall is expected statewide, some areas in eastern Massachusetts may have totals upwards of 24 inches, according to Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Jamey Tesler.
Eastern Massachusetts may also experience sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph, with gusts up to 70 mph on the cape and other pockets; and flooding in coastal areas, the governor said. There will likely be widespread power outages in the region as a result, Baker said.
There will be significant snowfall across greater Boston and into central Massachusetts as well.
State public safety and transportation officials joined Baker in urging members of the public to stay off the roads unless it is an emergency.
“Everyone should stay off the road tomorrow unless it’s an emergency or you have some very essential and absolute reason for being out,” said Baker. Snow and ice crews have been preparing for several days, but “snow will be falling practically as fast as they plow it,” according to Baker.