Boston area gets buried under 20+ inches of snow

This snowstorm was historic. It made the top 10 in Boston's history.

Here are the final snow totals from the National Weather Service, Rob Macedo, the SKYWARN Coordinator for the National Weather Service in Taunton, and WBZ-TV Weather Watchers.

Gloucester 27.0 inches
Ipswich 26.0
Princeton 26.0
Sterling 25.2
Hardwick 24.6
Dorchester 24.1
Leicester 23.8
Boston (Logan Airport) 23.2
Auburn 23.0
Weymouth 22.9
Hudson 22.5
Worcester 22.4
Wakefield 22.0
Saugus 22.0
Newburyport 22.0
Agawam 22.0
Rockport 22.0
Hopkinton 22.0
Hubbardston 22.0
Oxford 22.0
Hamilton 22.0

You can see the rest of the list here.

The snow storm is officially over and it made history in Boston.

The final total at the National Weather Service measuring station at Logan Airport was 23.2 inches. That's the eighth biggest storm in Boston's history.

The biggest storm was in February 2003 when the city got a record 27.6 inches.

Here's the updated top 10 list of Boston snow storms.

WBZ-TV chief meteorologist Eric Fisher's forecast looks at the impressive snow totals from this storm, and looks ahead to next weekend's blizzard threat.

As the storm winds down, one town has reported more than 2 feet of snow.

In Ipswich, 26 inches had fallen as of Monday night. 

Click here for the latest totals.

Community was out in full force in Andover as residents pitched in to help their neighbors clean up the 20" of snow they had received from the storm.

"They are older. I'll go help them to clean," Felix Garcia said after shoveling for several hours. 

The storm reminded people in the town of past storms, including the one from 2003. 

"We haven't seen this in a while. This accumulation, this is pretty good. This you feel. I'm tired, you know?" Bill Carle said while taking a break from snow blowing. 

Click here to read more.

As of 7 p.m., Logan Airport has measured 20.2 inches of snow, making this the 10th biggest snowstorm ever recorded in Boston.

It's still possible that last burst of snow Monday night could give Boston another inch or two. 

WBZ-TV chief meteorologist Eric has the latest forecast on the final band of snow passing through Boston, and a look at a potential blizzard next weekend.

People in Boston enjoyed a snow day full of fun on Monday. Residents flocked to the Boston Common, where they rode their sleds down Flagstaff Hill as part of a longstanding snow day tradition. Or others who took this opportunity to cross-country ski in the oldest park in the United States. 

One resident in South Boston even found joy in... shoveling.

"I love shoveling snow, it's great. I didn't do it as a kid, so that's why I love it now," Harrison Davis said as he shoveled out his car. 

Other residents were as thrilled to shovel out their cars multiple times as snowplows kept burying them, calling it an "endless cycle." 

Click here to read more.

One final burst of snow is moving through Massachusetts this evening, according to WBZ-TV chief meteorologist Eric Fisher.

Track the storm on live radar here.

The snow emergency and parking ban in Boston will be lifted today at 8 p.m., Mayor Michelle Wu said.

Residents have until 10 p.m. to remove their cars from discounted garages before they are charged regular rates.

Space savers need to be removed 48 hours later by Wednesday at 8 p.m. Any space savers left out longer may be picked up with the trash.

Boston Public Schools will stay closed on Tuesday, Mayor Michelle Wu announced.

"The District has made the decision to close schools for an additional day so crews can sufficiently clear sidewalks and widen the roadways for children and the 700 bus fleet to maneuver across all streets safely," her administration said in a statement.

Boston Public Library branches, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, City Hall and other municipal buildings will still reopen Tuesday. 

While you're cleaning out from the latest storm, a potential blizzard could be on the horizon.

It's still too early to know for sure, and there are several potential scenarios. But one of those scenarios could mean a blizzard for New England.

More details in the forecast below:

Like Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey earlier, the Woburn Police Department is issuing a warning for people to completely clear snow from their car.

Police posted a photo of a car that had only the windshield cleared.

"The vehicle pictured below is not sufficiently clean to be driven. Just cleaning the windshield is not good enough, clean the entire vehicle off. Don't be a hazard to other drivers," Woburn police said.

The City of Worcester announced that school will be closed on Tuesday for a second straight day due to the storm.

Several other districts have already closed for Tuesday as well. Click here for a full list.

Fire departments in towns across Massachusetts are asking the public to help clear out fire hydrants from snowbanks near them. Snow should be cleared from the hydrant to the street and also in a 3x3-foot square around it. Crews like the one in Norwell said they have over 1,000 hydrants to shovel out, in addition to responding to emergencies. 

"In an emergency, time matters, so please help us help you and your neighbors," they said on Facebook. 

The call for help came after the Winthrop Fire Department responded to an early-morning house fire where crews had to dig out "several fire hydrants out of the snow to be able to use them to extend hose lines."

The Watertown Fire Department said that anyone who clears out a hydrant near them should send a photo so they can publicly thank them online. 

Some school districts in Massachusetts have decided to stay closed for one more snow day Tuesday. 

You can see the latest list here.

The latest official snow total in Boston is 18.9 inches at Logan Airport as of 2 p.m. Monday.

That's now one inch away from being a top ten winter storm in the city. With more snow coming in the afternoon the chances are very good at this point.

Here's the list of Boston's biggest snowstorms as of now:

Though the heaviest of the snow has already fallen, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey reminded people during a news conference that another 1-to-5 inches is still expected to fall by the end of the night.

"It's not over yet," Healey said. "Travel conditions remain challenging, so please remain careful out there."

Healey asked people to continue to stay off the roads if possible.

Watch her news conference:

Massachusetts highway administrator Jonathan Gulliver issued a reminder on Monday that drivers should clear snow from their cars to prevent snow and ice from flying off.

"Take that extra few minutes to and clear your car," Gulliver said. "That's a safety issue for yourself and the people around you."

State officials said during a news conference that most highways and major roads are clear. Crews are continuing to work to get all roads cleared down to the pavement. 

Several communities in Massachusetts had reached 20 inches of snow by early Monday afternoon.

Here are the latest snow totals:

Sterling 22.2 inches
Ipswich 22.0
Newburyport 22.0
Rockport 22.0
Hopkinton 22.0
Leicester 22.0
Auburn 21.5
Milton 21.4
Gloucester 21.0
Uxbridge 21.0
Lexington 21.0
Warren 21.0
Wakefield 20.6
North Andover 20.5
Peabody 20.5
Middleton 20.5
Westfield 20.5
Granby 20.2
Holden 20.0
Danvers 20.0
Billerica 20.0
Longmeadow 20.0

You can see the full list here.  

Boston's official total so far at Logan Airport is 18.6 inches, according to the National Weather Service. With more snow in the forecast later Monday, this storm could end up in Boston's top ten biggest snowstorms.

The woman who was hit and killed by a snow plow in an MBTA parking lot in Norwood, Massachusetts was identified Monday by Transit Police.

They said 51-year-old Noriko Rapley of Norwood was walking with her husband in the lot during the storm Sunday afternoon when a plow truck driver in a Ford F350 backed into them. Rapley died at the scene. Police said the driver was cooperating with investigators.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family and friends. We offer our most sincere condolences," Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan said in a statement.

Read more here.

Some neighborhoods in Winthrop, Massachusetts are running into a problem with the snow storm - where do they put all of the snow?

There's a parking ban and residents were told to keep any shoveled snow on their own property.

WBZ-TV's Louisa Moller found it's piling up fast.

With nearly 20 inches of snow on the ground in Boston, many people stayed home from work and school Monday.

WBZ-TV's Mike Sullivan found at least one person who broke out the cross-country skis to get to the office.

When there's so much snow, it's always a good idea to check on your neighbors.

WBZ-TV's Aaron Parseghian found a man in Andover, Massachusetts who did just that.

Several people on snowboards took advantage of the conditions on Beacon Hill in Boston, cruising down the street with no cars on the road.

MBTA Transit Police said a minivan driver got stuck in the snow on the Commuter Rail tracks on Brighton Street in Belmont and was hit by a train.

The driver and passenger were pulled out of  the wreckage and taken to a hospital. Police said their injuries were "serious but non-life threatening."

WBZ-TV's Jacob Wycoff rode along in a plow Monday with Jamie Luchini, the director of Northbridge's public works department.

"Nothing prepares you for this amount of snow this quick," Luchini said of this snow storm.

Plow drivers have been working around the clock clearing the snow from highways and streets across Massachusetts.

"This was a very tough storm for us," said Jonathan Gulliver, the Highway Administrator at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). "We're catching up, but there's still a lot of snow pack on the roadways."

WBZ-TV's Chris Tanaka and Paula Ebben spoke to Gulliver about what drivers can expect Monday.

Thousands of flights across the county were canceled Monday because of the winter storm.

At Logan Airport in Boston, more than 500 flights were canceled Monday, according to FlightAware.

Ed Freni, the director of aviation for Massport, which runs Logan,  said air traffic will be "slow for while."

He told WBZ-TV the airlines should be "in sync sometime this afternoon, we expect."

If you have a flight today, check with your airline or Massport before leaving.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said she hopes the streets across the city will be cleared enough to open schools on Tuesday.

She spoke to WBZ-TV's Chris Tanaka and Paula Ebben Monday about snow removal in Boston.

Worcester had more than 17 inches of snow Monday morning as central Massachusetts dug out from the biggest storm there in years.

WBZ-TV's Penny Kmitt reports on the conditions in Worcester and Jacob Wycoff reports from Milford.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey will have an update on the snowstorm Monday afternoon.

You can watch it live at the state's highway operations center in Boston at 12:30 p.m. on CBS News Boston.

Several towns have more than 20 inches of snow from the storm. A few more inches of snow is possible later Monday.

This is the biggest snowstorm in the Boston area in nearly four years.

Some towns had 20 inches of snow on the ground Monday morning and several more were close to it.

Here are the latest snow totals as of 6 a.m.

Hopkinton 22.0 inches
Uxbridge 21.0
Lexington 21.0
Middleton 20.5
Milton 20.0
Newburyport 20.0
Holden 20.0
Granby 20.2
Grafton 19.0
Ludlow 19.0

Boston's official total so far at Logan Airport is 16.7 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

You can see the full list here.

There's more snow in the forecast Monday morning across Massachusetts.

It will be cold once again as a few more inches could fall, a day after some town ended up with 20 inches.

WBZ-TV's Jason Mikell has your latest weather forecast.

With snow totals topping a foot in many cities and towns in Massachusetts Sunday night, there is still more to come.

Day two of this storm will add several more inches of snow, according to the WBZ NEXT Weather team. An additional 1-4" of snow is expected. 

There may be some spot towns with slightly more than 4" thanks to ocean-effect snow bands. The best chance would be coastal Essex County, Suffolk County (Boston area) and Plymouth County.  

In order to crack into the top ten for Boston's snowiest storms, we need to reach 19.8" of snow at the city's official measuring spot - Logan Airport. That total is not out of the question by Monday night.

Hundreds of flights in and out of Boston's Logan Airport were cancelled Sunday.

According to FlightAware, 751 flights were cancelled with dozens more delayed. Nationally that number topped a staggering 12,000.

For Monday, 493 flights into and out of Logan are already cancelled as of 10:30 p.m. Sunday, according to FlightAware.

Massachusetts State Police said that as of 8 p.m., they have responded to 149 crashes on Sunday.

There have been 234 disabled vehicles as well.

Seven injuries have been reported as a result of the crashes.

Multiple towns have surpassed one foot of snow as of Sunday night. Here are the leaders so far.

East Longmeadow, MA: 14.6"
Leicester, MA: 14.0"  
Westboro, MA: 13.5"
Gloucester, MA: 13.3"

Click here for a complete list of snow totals.

In northern New England, a plane crash has been reported. The FAA confirmed that a Bombardier Challenger 600 taking off at Bangor International Airport in Maine with eight people on board crashed during the storm.

The exact extent of the crash was not immediately known.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate the crash.    

Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan said a plow driver hit and killed a woman while she was walking with her husband in the MBTA Norwood Central parking lot.

The 51-year-old woman and her 47-year-old husband were both hit by the plow driver, who works for a private company that was contracted by the MBTA for snow removal. The driver backed into the couple. The husband survived but was rushed to an area hospital.

"This is an unimaginable horrific incident," Sullivan said. 

While most are suiting up in their hats, coats and gloves to clear the snow, one person in Medway decided to don an inflatable giraffe suit. 

Snow is continuing to fall at a rapid rate throughout Boston and Massachusetts.

WBZ-TV's Eric Fisher provided a look at the complete forecast.

As of 7 p.m., Massachusetts State Police have responded to 145 calls for crashes.

Among those crashes, seven people have been hurt, police said.

No fatalities have been reported as of Sunday night.

The first towns in Massachusetts have hit double digits. The leaders so far are:

Huntington, MA: 12.0"
Leicester, MA: 11.0"
Ludlow, MA: 10.5"

See the full list of snow totals here.

With fans urged to stay home and watch the Patriots due to the snow, New England earned a Super Bowl appearance.

It wasn't pretty, but the Patriots beat Denver, 10-7, in the AFC Championship Game.

They'll play either the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 8.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey issued a reminder that numerous cities and towns in Massachusetts are under a parking ban due to the snow.

"Heads up, Massachusetts: parking bans are in effect in Boston and many cities and towns statewide," Healey said in a statement Sunday night. "If you can, remove your parked car from the road so plows and first responders can get through during the storm."

Boston is among the communities where a parking ban is in effect.

Because of storm Sunday and Monday, all courts in Massachusetts are closed to start the week.

Any court hearings will be rescheduled and involved parties will be notified of their new date of appearance.

For questions, contact the register's office.

The Norton Police Department said they have responded to a few calls during the storm.

One of them was came on Pine Street.

Police shared a photo of a box truck that crashed into a ditch on the snowy road. No additional details were provided.

Chief WBZ-TV meteorologist Eric Fisher provided the latest forecast.

According to Fisher, Massachusetts will start seeing snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour through 10 p.m. on Sunday.

WBZ-TV reporters in several Massachusetts communities provided a look at the latest conditions.

Snow is starting to pile up and roads are slick throughout the state.

Paul Burton talked to people in Massachusetts as they made last-minute preparations for Sunday's storm.

The snow totals list has been updated.

Several communities already have gone over half a foot, with a few already over seven inches of snow.

Phillip Eng, the General Manager of the MBTA, said trains will be running throughout the storm to keep tracks clear.

Emergency crews will be prepositioned for rail, signal and switch issues. Power crews will also be on hand.

The entire transit system is running on a weekend schedule, and on Monday the Commuter Rail will run on a one-third reduced capacity storm schedule.

Ferry service will be reduced to hourly on Monday. For Charlestown and the Inner Harbor, ferries will run every 30 minutes.

Eng strongly encouraged everyone to stay home if they can.

As you head out to clear snow, keep in mind that any exposed skin is at risk in these bitter temperatures, and it doesn't take long to do damage.

Frostbite is possible any time the temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees). The lower the wind chill value, the quicker your skin can suffer.

According to the National Institutes of Health, it takes less than 30 minutes to get frostbite when windchills drop to -15. 

As wind chill temperatures approach -25, that timeline falls to just 15 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.

Frostbite occurs when skin and the tissue under it actually freezes. Skin can progress from cold, red and painful to tingly to white and numb.

If you suspect frostbite, you should slowly and gently rewarm the skin with warm - not hot - water and seek medical attention. 

During a Sunday news conference, state officials urged people to stay off the roads, watching the Patriots game from the safety of home.

For those at home wondering how to find the game, there are options on cable and streaming for the AFC Championship Game, which is airing on WBZ-TV.

The first batch of snow totals have been reported in Massachusetts.

Following here throughout the day to keep track of who is getting the most snow. 

It goes without saying that you should limit your pets' time outside when temperatures are as cold as they've been this weekend.

Bundle up your furry friends. A doggie sweater or jacket can keep those short-haired breeds warmer during this bitter cold stretch. Booties will protect your pooch's paws from cold and salt. If your pet won't tolerate booties, try coating their paws with Vaseline before setting outside, and rinse their paws when you return indoors.

Use pet-safe alternatives to salt and traditional ice melt, which can burn paws. Many retailers sell a version of ice melt, often green in color, that is safer for pets' sensitive paws. Sand is also an alternative for traction.

Keep your dogs away from lakes and streams. Even if they look frozen, there may be weak spots.

Keep those outdoor cats indoors. The MSPCA recommends keeping your cats inside, as they may seek warmth in unsafe places, like under car hoods, if they're outside.

Watch for signs that your pet is just too cold. They may shiver, tuck their tail between their legs, lift their paws or be reluctant to move.

You can read more detailed recommendations for your pet here.

Restrictions have been put in place on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Speeds have been reduced to 40 mph on parts of the road. 

In addition, there is a Level 3 truck ban in place. That means that tractor-trailer trucks, RVs, and larger trucks with the exception of essential vehicles are not allowed on the Mass Pike.

There are some places in Massachusetts who could reach two feet of snow. The question is where. 

WBZ-TV meteorologist Jacob Wycoff and executive weather producer Terry Eliasen broke down the best chances for passing the 2-foot mark.

Anyone traveling at Logan Airport in Boston on Sunday or Monday is asked to check their flight, as Massport said nearly all flights are canceled through the morning.

"Due to the winter storm, almost all flights to and from Logan are canceled Sunday afternoon and evening, as well as Monday morning. Please check with your airline for more information regarding flights and before coming to the airport," Massport said on Sunday.

Despite huge snow totals expected in Massachusetts, widespread power outages are not anticipated.

Gov. Maura Healey said Sunday afternoon the only outages seen so far are from people driving on the snowy roads and crashing into utility poles. That is one reason she is urging people to stay home Sunday and Monday.

Because the snow is expected to be dry, light and fluffy, Healey said widespread outages aren't anticipated. The areas where outages could happen are the South Coast and the Cape and Islands, Healey said.

"If you do experience a power outage and need help, dial 211. We can get you to a warming shelter if you need help and lose power,:"

The snow is expected to end in Massachusetts Monday night. But cleanup will take longer than that.

During her news conference Sunday afternoon, Gov. Maura Healey said she expects it will take up to four hours after the storm for roads to be cleared.

"I ask that the public be patient," Healey said. "Everybody is doing the best they can as quickly as they can. But please be patient."

Drivers in Massachusetts are asked to stay off the roads Sunday as snow is quickly making conditions dangerous.

"Please give space to our snowplow operators," Healey urged drivers who do need to be on the roads.

State highway administrator Jonathan Gulliver said there are currently 1,700 pieces currently on the road with up to 2,500 expected within the hour. As conditions get worse, up to 3,000 will likely be dispatched.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said all non-essential state employees will be working from home on Monday due to the storm.

Healey also encouraged private businesses to allow their employees to do the same in possible.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is providing an update on the state's response to the storm.

You can watch the update live by clicking here.

"This is a storm that's going to pick up very quicky. For folks that are on the roads right now, get off the road," Healey said.

WBZ-TV meteorologists Jacob Wycoff and Terry Eliasen go in-depth on the storm forecast as the snow begins falling in Boston.

Boston, Worcester and several other school districts have already announced they'll be closed Monday because of the snowstorm.

Click here for the complete list of school closings in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 

When a lot of snow falls, people tend to call it a blizzard, but to really be a blizzard there are very specific criteria.

Winds: Frequent gusts of 35 mph or more

Visibility: Equal or less than a quarter-mile for falling or blowing snow

Timing: Conditions last three or more consecutive hours

Boston has had its share of blizzards. The last one was in January of 2022 when much of the Boston area was buried under two feet of snow, with whipping winds.

The most famous blizzard of course was in February of 1978. Snow fell for two days, piling up more than 30 inches in some areas and blowing snow created drifts much deeper than that. Cars and trucks were stranded on major highways and dozens of people lost their lives.

Market Basket is closing early on Sunday because of the storm that is expected to blanket the Boston area with up to 2 feet of snow.

"Due to the severe weather forecasted for today and for the safety of our associates and customers, all Market Basket Stores will be closing at 4:00 pm today," the Tewksbury-based chain said.

Market Basket, which was recently ranked the second-best grocery store chain in the country, has nearly 100 supermarkets in New England.

Many churches are closed Sunday because of the storm. 

Click here to check the closings list. 

We're just hours away from heavy snow falling in the Boston area.

WBZ-TV meteorologist Jacob Wycoff has your latest forecast.

The biggest winter snow storm to hit the country in years is covering more than 2,000 miles.

You can follow it as it moves through Massachusetts with our local weather radar here.

All of Massachusetts is under a Winter Storm Warning through 8 p.m. Monday.

Severe travel impacts will start Sunday afternoon.

The WBZ Weather Team has produced several maps to show what you can expect in the hours ahead.

You can see them here.

The winter storm forecast calls for 12 to 20 inches of snow across most of Massachusetts.

It's a pretty wide range, so how much should you expect your town to get? When it's over, who will get the most snow? 

WBZ-TV executive weather producer Terry Eliasen has a very detailed breakdown of what parts of Massachusetts will likely get hit the hardest.

You can read it here.

The snow is expected to start falling in the Boston area Sunday morning and last through the day Monday. 

WBZ-TV's Jacob Wycoff has your latest weather forecast for Massachusetts.

The last time Boston had more than a foot of snow fall in a single storm was nearly four years ago, on Jan. 29, 2022.

Nearly two feet of snow covered Boston's neighborhoods in what became known as the Blizzard of 2022. Winds were high enough and visibility was low enough that it was the city's first blizzard in four years.

At 23.8 inches of snow at Boston's official measuring point of Logan Airport, it was the second largest January snowfall ever in the city and sits at the number seven spot for the snowiest storms in Boston's history.

The jackpot area for the Blizzard of 2022 was just south of Boston. Places like Stoughton, Sharon, Quincy and Rockland all had more than two feet of snow, up to 30 inches. North of Boston, Danvers and Swampscott also topped the two-foot mark. 

While Boston will see the deepest snowfall in years, it's unlikely to be one for the record books. 

Here are the top 10 snowstorms in the city, based on the day they ended:

1. Feb. 18, 2003 27.6"
2. Feb. 7, 1978 27.1"
3. Feb. 25, 1969 25.8"
4. April 1, 1997 25.4"
5. Feb. 9, 2013 24.9"
6. Jan. 27, 2015 24.6"
7. Jan. 29, 2022 23.8"
8. Feb. 17, 2003 23.6"
9. Jan. 23, 2005 22.5"
10. Jan. 28, 2015 22.3"

The last ten years has been the least snowy stretch on record in Boston, meaning in the history of Boston weather records there has never been a 10-year stretch with less snow.

It's too soon to say if that trend will continue through this winter. 

The snowiest 10-year stretch? It actually overlaps with the least snow, running from 2008-2018.

Driving in a snowstorm is never recommended, but if you have to, get your car or truck ready ahead of time.

Start by filling it up with gas. You don't want ice building up in your tank or fuel lines. Make sure you have plenty of windshield wiper fluid and that your wiper blades are in good shape.

Pack a survival kit in case you get stuck in the snow. It should have a flashlight, batteries, a phone charger, blankets, a first aid kit and extra clothes.

You'll also need a shovel, an ice scraper and brush, jumper cables, water and snacks.

If you get stuck in the snow, you should stay in your car or truck. Read more here.

Getting your home ready before the snow starts to accumulate can keep you safe and save you time and money.

You should have at least one shovel and some ice melt at your home. If you have a snowblower, fill up the tank with gas and, if possible, have it serviced. 

Sprinkle snow melt on the stairs and walkways outside before the snow starts to keep the bottom layers from icing.

Remove any branches or dead trees near your house that could fall if there's heavy, wet snow.

Clear out your gutters and drains to prevent melting snow and ice from building up and causing ice dams.

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they're working. Have fresh batteries ready if the power goes out.

Once the snow starts falling, keep all outside vents clear of snow.

For more information, click here.