Boston declares snow emergency as nor’easter nears, warning snow removal could extend through the week
Storm preparations ramp up as officials urge residents to stay off roads
Boston officials declared a snow emergency ahead of a forecast nor’easter expected to bring heavy snow to parts of Massachusetts, warning that cleanup could take most of the week and potentially extend into next weekend. City leaders said crews would prioritize keeping major roadways passable and maintaining emergency access as snowfall intensifies.
At a Sunday briefing, Mayor Michelle Wu said Boston Public Schools would be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026, citing safety and the need to keep streets clearer for plowing and emergency response. The city also announced a parking ban starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, with towing enforcement planned for vehicles left in restricted areas.
City expects prolonged cleanup and deploys equipment and salt supplies
Interim Chief of Streets Nick Grove said the city anticipates snow removal operations “all week” due to the expected pace of accumulation and the complexity of clearing narrow streets and dense neighborhoods. Officials described the approaching system as capable of producing rapid snowfall rates, conditions that can quickly overwhelm street capacity and slow plow progress.
Grove said Boston has 35,000 tons of salt available and plans to deploy roughly 900 pieces of equipment during the storm response. The city’s approach, officials said, will focus first on primary routes and then expand into residential streets as conditions allow.
Lessons from earlier storms shape strategy for tight streets and blocked curb space
City officials said the prior storm left tight clearances in some areas, a factor that can reduce the effective width of travel lanes and complicate access for public safety vehicles, sanitation, and transit operations. Wu said city teams identified recurring trouble spots after earlier snowfalls and planned to devote additional attention to those locations during this response.
Officials also pointed to the impact of vehicles left in place during snow emergencies. In the last storm, the city reported about 900 tows, a figure leaders cited to emphasize that fewer cars on streets allows plows to clear faster and reduces delays in emergency response.
What residents should know: parking, travel, and sidewalk responsibilities
A citywide parking ban was scheduled to take effect at 2 p.m. Sunday, with towing enforcement for violators.
Officials urged residents to avoid driving during periods of rapid accumulation to reduce crashes and keep routes open for plows and emergency vehicles.
Property owners are required to clear sidewalks after snowfall ends, including creating an accessible path for pedestrians, wheelchairs, and strollers.
Officials said limited street space and rapid snowfall can extend cleanup timelines, particularly in neighborhoods where curbside snow storage quickly becomes constrained.
City departments said they would monitor conditions around the clock and adjust operations as the storm evolves. Officials advised residents to watch for changes to parking, school, and service schedules as accumulation and wind conditions develop across the region.