Natick Puts Parking Ban Into Effect Ahead Of Nor'easter

This story was updated at 10:42 a.m.

NATICK, MA — Natick officials have enacted the town's snow-related parking ban on all public roadways ahead of the incoming Nor'easter which could bring up to six inches of snow to the Boston area.

The parking ban, officials said, "allows for critical snow removal activities," and will remain active until 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Trash and recycling will be picked up as normal, however, and no alterations have been made at Natick schools as of 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday. All afterschool programs have been canceled.

What State Officials Are Doing

The National Weather Service early Tuesday updated its snow predictions, moving higher snow totals into Essex County and the Boston area. Meanwhile, new winter storm warnings were set to go into effect at 10 a.m. encompassing all of Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk counties.

Heavy, wet snow was already beginning to accumulate in the Worcester area as of 7 a.m. Forecasters say snow will spread steadily east Tuesday, dropping up six or more inches in the Boston area — and as much as a foot or more in the Worcester area.

Read more: Snow Forecast Rises In MA, Winter Storm Warnings Move East

The storm was already beginning to take a toll on infrastructure as of sunrise. Some 27,000 residents were without power as of 7:30 a.m., mostly clustered in the Berkshires. On the Mass Pike, 40 mph speed restrictions were in place between Westfield and the New York border.

MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said early Tuesday the storm poses a challenge for road crews because the nor'easter began as a heavy rain, hampering pre-treating efforts.

The MBTA canceled all Charlestown and Hingham-Hull ferry service on Tuesday with very high winds expected along the coast.

Gov. Maura Healey on Monday evening ordered all non-emergency executive branch employees to stay home on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency was planning to open its emergency operations center in Framingham at 8 a.m. Tuesday to monitor conditions.