BOSTON — A combination of high tides, blistering cold and more than 14 inches of snow is expected to pummel the Greater Boston area on Thursday and Friday when the first nor’easter of 2014 hits southern New England.
The potential impact of the storm has led the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning for all of eastern Massachusetts.
Parking ban are in effect throughout the region, including Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Braintree and Quincy.
Thursday and Friday classes have been canceled in many communities. For a complete list click here.
As of press time, Brookline did not appear to be joining the cities and towns throughout the area in implementing parking bans and closing school.
All state offices are still scheduled to be open Thursday and run on a normal schedule.
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino declared a Snow Emergency will go into effect Thursday at noon though all city offices and services, including trash collection, will open and run like usual. Boston public school students get an extra day of vacation Friday as Menino has closed school that day due to the storm.
“What a New Yearâs gift, to receive one last snowstorm as Mayor,” Menino said in a statement.
City residents who regularly park on streets impacted by the Snow Emergency can take their cars to discounted parking garages around the city. A complete list of these garages can be found here.
“With more than a foot of snow expected in parts of the city, we are taking the necessary precautions to make sure the city is cleaned up as quickly as possible. Iâm asking the public to stay off the roads throughout the duration of the storm and allow our crews to work,” said Menino.
Menino’s office urged residents to contact the city if they see any homeless people suffering from distress related to the storm and to clear sidewalks and fire hydrants if they’re adjacent to their property.