Around Town

Hurricane Could Wash Out Labor Day Weekend & Trash Collection Info

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Hurricane Hermine is forecast to be off-shore this weekend, which could make for a rainy, windy Labor Day. The National Weather Service has a Hazardous Weather Outlook which says the hurricane could hit Southern New England from Sunday into Tuesday with rain and strong winds. The track of the storm, however, remains uncertain, so the impact may change. Due to the Labor Day holiday, trash collection in Watertown will be pushed back a day, so those normally with Monday pickup will be Tuesday, etc. Also, Town Hall and the Watertown Free Public Library will be closed for the holiday.

Government

State Officials Recommend Being Prepared for Hurricanes, Tornadoes

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Hurricanes and tropical storms are not just coastal events. As we saw in 2011 with Tropical Storm Irene, the strong winds and torrential rainfall that often are associated with hurricanes and tropical storms can cause widespread damage well inland and across the entire state. A storm’s strong winds can destroy buildings, down trees and power lines, and result in widespread power outages across the entire state. Additionally, large amounts of rain, particularly over a short period of time, can trigger destructive inland flooding. “The sometimes forgotten threat associated with hurricanes and tropical storms, particularly in our inland communities, is flooding,” stated Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz.

Air Quality Alert

Watch for Rain Around Watertown Thursday Afternoon, Air Quality Alert

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Thursday won’t be as hot as Wednesday, but some severe weather could be heading Watertown’s way. The National Weather Service forecast calls for scattered showers and possible thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon. Some areas could receive heavy rain and possibly strong winds. An Air Quality Alert will be in place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the Boston area, too, the National Weather Service announced. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection said certain sensitive groups could experience health effects, including people with lung disease, heart disease and asthma.

Weather

Strong Thunderstorms Expected Friday PM, Tornado Watch in Western Mass

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A line of thunderstorms are forecast to hit Watertown late Friday afternoon and evening, and more severe weather is forecast for the Western part of the state. 

The National Weather service forecast calls for some strong to severe thunderstorms to roll into the Boston area Friday, with the worst period between 9 p.m. to midnight. The storms could produce lighting, high winds, heavy rain and hail. In Western Massachusetts and Eastern Upstate New York, the National Weather Service has called a Tornado Watch for this evening. The timing of the worst of the storms is likely to be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in Western Mass., according to the National Weather Service.

Around Town

Memorial Day Parade Cancelled by Weather

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The Watertown Memorial Day Parade has been cancelled due to the expected bad weather. The Watertown Police sent out an auto call announcing the cancellation of the annual event. The forecast calls for a 90 percent chance of rain and a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Snow

Brace for a Windy, Snowy Sunday for Watertown

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A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Boston area on Sunday morning. The Watertown area is forecast to get up to three inches of snow by 11 a.m. Sunday, according to WHDH Channel 7. Snowfall should start after 3 a.m. and will be heavy at times. Winds of over 20 mph and gusts of 60 mph are expected, and the High Wind Warning lasts until 7 p.m. Sunday.

Snow Storm

UPDATED: Police Chief Asks Residents to Take Cars Off Road for Sunday’s Snow Storm

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{This story was updated on Sunday at 8:12 p.m.}

A late winter snow storm will be blowing through the area Sunday night and Monday morning, and Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn requested that residents take cars off the road to allow plows to do their work. 

The Police Department has already ended the winter parking ban, but Lawn told residents to aid plows and emergency vehicles by removing their cars to municipal lots and other off-street parking areas. “With a pending snowstorm due tonight, Sunday March 20th into Monday we are asking residents to remove their vehicles from the roadways so the streets can be plowed,” the announcement said. “If a snow emergency is declared vehicles will be towed from the roadways.” Snow should start falling around midnight in Watertown, and the area could get 2-4 inches of snow and the worst of it could hit during the morning commute, according to the WCVB Channel 5 weather report. The town appears to be on the line between 2-4 inches and 4-8 inches according to WBZ Channel 4.

Cold Snap

Frigid Temperatures Coming This Weekend, Are You Ready?

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With a cold snap coming to the Watertown area this weekend, make sure you are ready for the frigid temperatures. 

The lows will dip under zero Saturday night, and the high Sunday is forecast to be just 9 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. A Wind Chill Warning has been issued for the Boston area from 4 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday. The wind chill factor will drop temps to 20-30 below zero, and frostbite can occur within 10 minutes in those conditions if your skin is exposed, according to the National Weather Service warning. Make sure you and your home is prepared for the bitter cold. The Red Cross has some tips for you and your home:

Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm.