Boston’s Morning Briefing: Digging Out from the 20-Inch 'Snowpocalypse'

The City Mood: Quiet, Cold, and Buried

Boston wakes up today under a massive white blanket following the historic January 2026 North American winter storm, unofficially dubbed Winter Storm Fern. With more than 20 inches of snow recorded in parts of the city and Worcester, the mood is one of quiet resilience. While the flakes have mostly stopped falling, the air remains biting and frigid. The usual morning rush is replaced by the mechanical hum of snowblowers and the scrape of shovels as residents dig out of what meteorologists are calling one of the most significant winter events in years.

Key Talking Point: The Second Day of School Closures

The primary conversation around kitchen tables this morning is the continued disruption to daily life. Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Public Schools officials have confirmed that all city schools remain closed today, Tuesday, January 27, to allow crews to widen roadways and clear sidewalks for the city’s fleet of 700 buses. While the snow emergency and parking bans were lifted late Monday evening, officials are urging property owners to be diligent about clearing their footpaths, as temperatures are expected to stay well below freezing for the remainder of the week.

Key details for your Tuesday cleanup:

• Schools: Boston Public Schools and many surrounding districts, including Worcester, are closed today.
• City Services: Boston City Hall, libraries, and community centers are scheduled to reopen today, though residents are encouraged to check for local delays.
• Transit: MBTA crews are working to maintain service, but travelers should expect residual delays across all lines as the system recovers from the record-breaking snowfall.

Feel-Good Story: A Champion’s Welcome for Jrue Holiday

Amidst the freezing temperatures, there was plenty of warmth at TD Garden yesterday. Former Celtics star Jrue Holiday, now with the Portland Trail Blazers, returned to Boston for the first time since being traded. Despite the blizzard outside, the Garden was filled with cheers as the team played a touching tribute video highlighting Holiday’s pivotal role in the 2024 NBA Championship. Holiday received a standing ovation that lasted several minutes, proving that Boston fans never forget those who help hang banners in the rafters. In post-game remarks, Holiday noted that playing in front of the Boston crowd always 'felt like home.'

Tonight’s Outlook

The sports action continues tonight at the Garden as the Boston Bruins are still scheduled to host the Nashville Predators at 7:00 PM. Fans attending the game are advised to leave early and utilize public transportation, as street parking remains extremely limited due to the high snow banks lining city corridors.