Weather

Tropical Storm Warning for Watertown as Isaias Moves North

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The track of Isaias, which will impact Eastern Massachusetts on Tuesday night. The National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Warning for all of Southern New England, though the current forecast is that the brunt of Isaias will be felt in Western Massachusetts and/or Upstate New York. The center of the storm is expected to pass through Southeast New York and Western New England Tuesday evening, the National Weather Service (NWS) announcement said. The heaviest impact will last around 6 hours, and locally it could generate winds of 25-35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph (or higher depending on the track of the storm), according to the NWS warning. In Boston, the rainfall is forecast to be less than a quarter inch, according to WBZ Channel 4’s forecast.

Government

Snow Closes Watertown Schools, Delays Opening of Town Buildings

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Snow started early Tuesday and will get much heavier during the day. Watertown School officials closed the Public Schools Tuesday due to the snowfall. Also, town facilities will open late due to the storm. A Watertown Public Schools Twitter post sent out Monday night reads:

“Due to the timing of the storm that is predicted for tonight and into the morning hours, all Watertown Public Schools, including the offices, will be closed tomorrow, December 3.” Watertown Town Hall, the Library and the Senior Center will open at 10 a.m. due to the snow storm, according to an alert sent out by the Town Administration.

Around Town

First Winter Storm Due to Hit Watertown Sunday, Parking Ban Starts

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A storm that will stretch from Sunday into Tuesday could drop as much as six inches of snow on the Watertown area, and make travel tough for people returning from Thanksgiving trips. At the same time, the winter parking ban begins in Watertown. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service from 11 a.m. on Sunday to 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Watertown is in the area forecast by WCVB Channel 5 to get 3-6 inches of snow, but areas of northern Massachusetts and New Hampshire could get more than a foot. The Cape, on the other hand, will get an inch or less.

Severe Weather

Potential for Severe Thunderstorms Wednesday Afternoon

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Powerful storms are forecast to hit New England Wednesday, and have the potential to impact the Watertown area. The National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Wednesday, with a chance of severe thunderstorms hitting the area between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The threat of bad weather has cancelled the Watertown Farmers Market on Aug. 21. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2019/08/21/weather-cancels-watertown-farmers-market/

The storms may bring strong wind gusts that could cause damage, torrential downpours and localized flash flooding, and even the possibility of large hailstones falling. WBZ Channel 4’s forecast calls for the storms to mainly be north and west of the Boston in the afternoon, but the storm will likely move into the Boston area in the late afternoon and early evening.

National Weather Service

Strong Thunderstorm Hits Watertown, Concert Moved Inside

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A thunderstorm rolled through Watertown on Wednesday, causing some damage. A powerful thunderstorm blew through Watertown Wednesday afternoon, damaging some trees and moving the Watertown Summer Concert inside. The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m. on Wednesday. The storm hit Watertown shortly after 3:30 p.m.

A tree branch on Westside’s Brandley Road reportedly fell on utility poll during the storm on Brantley Road. Firefighters found live electrical wires on the street, and called for an Eversource crew to come repair it.

Fire Department

Powerful Thunderstorm Floods School & Streets, Knocks Down Tree in Watertown

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A thunderstorm that hit Watertown Wednesday afternoon caused flooding and other damage. A strong thunderstorm caused chaos which rolled through Watertown late Wednesday afternoon, flooding part of a school, streets and knocking over a tree. The storm cell hit Watertown at about 5:30 p.m. and with several lightning bolts in the area and dumping heavy rain on town, causing flooding in some areas. Flooding was reported around Watertown, including causing water to come into the gymnasium at Cunniff Elementary School on the Westside of town. Street flooding was reported nearby on Warren at Chapman Street, where as much as a foot of water was reported by first responders on the scene, according to scanner reports.

Cancellations

Snow Closings: Watertown Town Council Meeting Cancelled and More

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With heavy snow fall expected Tuesday afternoon and into the evening, some cancellations and closings have been announced in Watertown. Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting has been cancelled and rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 14 at 7:15 p.m. All items on the agenda will be heard Thursday, including three requests for cell antennas around Watertown. Also cancelled is the Watertown Public School’s Budget and Finance Subcommittee Meeting, which had been scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The Watertown Public Schools also announced there will be no after school or evening activities on Tuesday.

Transportation

MBTA Announces Extra Subway Service for Snow Storm

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising the public that weather forecasters are expecting a winter storm to impact travel across the Commonwealth throughout Tuesday, February 12. Snow is expected to begin falling during the Tuesday morning hours in Western Massachusetts and the storm will move eastward during the day, with snowfall rates at some times of one inch per hour, and with snow changing over to sleet in most regions. Members of the public are advised to minimize travel, use public transportation if possible, consider working from home if that is an option, or consider leaving work early on Tuesday. Driving conditions will become hazardous in Western Massachusetts around 10 a.m., Central Massachusetts around 1 p.m., and in the Boston area and Eastern Massachusetts around 3 p.m.

“We are asking people throughout the Commonwealth to make smart, safe decisions on Tuesday such as taking advantage of public transportation, working from home if possible and leaving early for their afternoon commute,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Everyone should check a weather forecast and travel conditions before heading out to avoid hazardous driving conditions, as there will be varying types of precipitation in all regions of Massachusetts, including snow, sleet, and freezing rain throughout the daytime and evening hours. The MBTA will be running subway lines in the Boston area at increased capacity starting at noon and all motorists should consider leaving early for their commute home and allowing plenty of extra time to travel.”

“MassDOT is currently conducting preparation activities for the deployment of snow and ice crews in advance of Tuesday’s winter weather,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.