Community Corner
Hour-By-Hour Forecast: Wind Chills Well Below Zero
This month is officially the snowiest on record in Boston and the winter is the third snowiest.

Updated at 5:50 p.m. Sunday:
A Wind Chill Warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Monday as winds will drop temperatures to as low as 25 below zero.
The wind will also cause blowing and drifting of snow, which may make driving hazardous.
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The National Weather Service said, “Outdoor exposure should be limited. If you are heading outdoors, dress in layers and keep your hands and head covered to protect against frostbite.”
Here is the hour-by-hour forecast from The Weather Channel:
Find out what's happening in North Readingfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- 7 p.m. Sunday: 9 degrees, feels like -12 degrees
- 8 p.m. Sunday: 7 degrees, feels like -14 degrees
- 9 p.m. Sunday: 6 degrees, feels like -16 degrees
- 10 p.m. Sunday: 3 degrees, feels like -19 degrees
- 11 p.m. Sunday: 1 degree, feels like -22 degrees
- Midnight Monday: 2 degrees, feels like -21 degrees
- 1 a.m. Monday: 0 degrees, feels like -23 degrees
- 2 a.m. Monday: 0 degrees, feels like -23 degrees
- 3a.m. Monday: 0 degrees, feels like -23 degrees
- 4 a.m. Monday: 0 degrees, feels like -23 degrees
- 5 a.m. Monday: -1 degrees, feels like -24 degrees
- 6 a.m. Monday: 0 degrees, feels like -23 degrees
- 7 a.m. Monday: 1 degree, feels like -22 degrees
- 8 a.m. Monday: 2 degrees, feels like -19 degrees
- 9 a.m. Monday: 3 degrees, feels like -17 degrees
- 10 a.m. Monday: 6 degrees, feels like -14 degrees
- 11 a.m. Monday: 9 degrees, feels like -10 degrees
- Noon Monday: 11 degrees, feels like like -7 degrees
Updated at 5:05 p.m. Sunday:
Massachusetts State Police reported a 20-car pileup on Route 95 South in Waltham on Sunday afternoon.
There were only minor injuries, but Route 95 South was closed for more than an hour to clear the roadway.
There was also a multi-car crash on Route 128 in Peabody on Sunday afternoon.
Updated at 2:52 p.m. Sunday:
It’s official -- this is the snowiest month on record in Boston history.
After not seeing much snow until three weeks ago, Massachusetts has been bombarded with four major snowstorms. The three recent snowstorms dumped nearly four feet of snow on the area this month.
How bad has it been? The first Blizzard of 2015 actually took place in January so the three-foot totals we saw from that storm don’t even count for February.
Boston has seen 89.2 inches of snow this winter, which is third most on record.
The National Weather Service most recent snowfall totals show that Ipswich and Achusnet picked up the most snow from the Valentine’s Day Blizzard. Each community reportedly got 22 inches. Note: There are some communities that don’t have readings since earlier on Sunday morning so the top snowfall might wind up being another community.
Here are some of the top snowfalls by county reported as of 2 p.m. Sunday:
Barnstable County
West Harwich -- 12 inches
Centerville -- 11.4 inches
Hyannis -- 7 inches
East Falmouth -- 6.2 inches
Bristol County
Achusnet -- 22 inches
New Bedford -- 20 inches
Mansfield -- 17 inches
Attleboro -- 13 inches
Dukes County
Oak Bluffs -- 10 inches
Essex County
Ipswich -- 22 inches
Salisbury -- 20.5 inches
Andover -- 12.5 inches
Middlesex County
Wilmington -- 17.5 inches
Acton -- 16.6 inches
Lexington -- 16.6 inches
Framingham -- 16.5 inches
West Newton -- 15.5 inches
Bedford -- 15.5 inches
Winchester -- 15.2 inches
North Reading -- 15 inches
Shirley -- 15 inches
Tewksbury -- 15 inches
Wakefield -- 15 inches
Natick -- 14.7 inches
Somerville -- 14.5 inches
Burlington -- 14.3 inches
Wayland -- 14 inches
Hopkinton -- 14 inches
Arlington -- 14 inches
Chelmsford -- 13.8 inches
Norfolk County
Milton -- 19.1 inches
Sharon -- 17 inches
Foxborough -- 15.6 inches
Walpole -- 15.4 inches
North Weymouth -- 15 inches
Needham Heights -- 15 inches
Norwood -- 14.5 inches
Braintree -- 13.5 inches
Stoughton -- 13 inches
Wrentham -- 12.1 inches
Weymouth -- 12 inches
Plymouth County
Bridgewater -- 20 inches
Plymouth -- 17 inches
Hingham -- 16 inches
Updated at 12:39 p.m. Sunday:
Strong winds from the ongoing blizzard may cause power outages in eastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands, according to the National Weather Service.
Winds: Sunday into Sunday night, high confidence for northerly winds of 40 to 50 mph across the interior of the state, 50 to 60 mph along the coast as well as Bristol and Plymouth counties, 60 to 70 mph for Plymouth coast, the upper Cape and Martha’s Vineyard, and 70 mph plus (hurricane force) for the outer Cape and Nantucket. Strongest winds expected around midday Sunday, according to NWS forecasters.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency offers some ways to prepare for a potential power outage during a power outage, and after a power outage:
Before an Outage
- Keep your cell phone, laptop and other electronics fully charged.
- If Your Power Goes Out:
- Do not call 9-1-1 to report power outages, report it to your utility. DO call 9-1-1 to report downed wires.
- Check in on friends, family, and neighbors, particularly those most susceptible to extreme temperatures and power outages such as seniors and those with access and functional needs.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines when using a generator. Always use outdoors, away from windows and doors.
During an Outage
- Do not call 9-1-1 to report your power outage or to ask for information, use 9-1-1 only for emergencies. Call your utility company to report the outage and get restoration information.
- National Grid 1-800-465-1212
- Eversource (formerly NSTAR) 1-800-592-2000
- Eversource (formerly WMECO) 877-659-6326
- Unitil (FG&E) 888-301-7700
- Customers served by a municipal utility in their community should locate their utility’s phone # to report outages
After a Power Outage
- Be extra cautious if you go outside to inspect for damage after a storm. Downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by snowdrifts, trees or debris, and could be live. Never attempt to touch or moved downed lines. Keep children and pets away from them.
- Do not touch anything power lines are touching, such as tree branches or fences. Always assume a downed line is a live line. Call your utility company to report any outage-related problem such as downed wires.
- Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
A blizzard warning will be in effect until 7 Monday morning, according to the NWS.
UPDATED at 10:26 a.m. Sunday:
Massachusetts is beginning the process of shoveling out after the fourth major snowstorm in three weeks pummeled the Bay State on Saturday night and Sunday.
The storm dumped close to two feet of snow on parts of the state.
Blowing and drifting snow will cause problems through the rest of Sunday and will make driving potentially life-threatening.
Wind chills will be below zero from Sunday into Tuesday.
Here are some of the top snowfall totals from the National Weather Service as of 10:14 a.m. Sunday:
Bristol County
Mansfield -- 15 inches
Attleboro -- 13 inches
Essex County
Salisbury -- 20.5 inches
Ipswich -- 20 inches
Andover -- 11 inches
Middlesex County
Lexington -- 16.6 inches
Acton -- 16.6 inches
Framingham -- 15.5 inches
Bedford -- 15.5 inches
Tewksbury -- 15 inches
Natick -- 14. 7 inches
Somerville -- 14.5 inches
Burlington -- 14.3 inches
North Reading -- 14.1 inches
Wakefield -- 14 inches
Wayland -- 14 inches
Wilmington -- 13 inches
South Chelmsford -- 13 inches
Winchester -- 13 inches
North Chelmsford -- 12.5 inches
Norfolk County
Milton -- 21.2 inches
Sharon -- 17 inches
Foxborough -- 15.6 inches
Walpole -- 15.4 inches
Norwood -- 14 inches
Braintree -- 13.5 inches
Stoughton -- 13 inches
Plymouth County
Hingham -- 16 inches
Suffolk County
Boston -- 13 inches
Worcester County
Milford -- 11.5 inches
Northborough -- 10.8 inches
Shrewsbury -- 9.5 inches
Westborough -- 8.8 inches
Grafton -- 8.5 inches
Original article posted at 8:33 a.m. Sunday:
The second Blizzard of 2015 will wind down during Sunday morning after dropping more than a foot of snow on most of Eastern Massachusetts.
Snow is expected to end by noon Sunday, but that doesn’t mean driving conditions will improve.
A Blizzard Warning is in effect until 7 a.m. Monday because of high winds that could blow snow around and create white-out conditions.
Once the snow ends at noontime, the temperatures will actually drop further. Wind chills will be below zero for Sunday all the way into Tuesday, according to The Weather Channel.
Governor: Stay off the roads
Gov. Charlie Baker asked during a Sunday morning news conference that people stay off the roads all day -- even after the snow ends. Blowing and drifting snow can cause life-threatening road conditions and trap drivers in their cars.
He asked people to stay home so the plows can clear the roads. There are more than 3,000 pieces of MassDOT equipment on the roads. They are devoting all of their time to plowing until the snow stops when they will also begin to remove snow drifts and widen roads.
The National Guard is on duty. Between 500 and 600 people are helping along the coastlines and with the State Police. They are there to respond to 911 calls pertaining to flood waters, stranded motorists or any other issue.
The MBTA is closed for Sunday and Logan Airport has no flights going out until at least Sunday afternoon.
The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth has been shut down as a precaution. During the first Blizzard of 2015, the plant lost power.
Clear blocked vents
Baker asked Bay Staters to clear out vents and said public safety departments have seen an increase in carbon monoxide problems because of snow blocking vents.
“The most important things people need to do today is stay safe and take care of themselves,” said Baker.
Power outages
Power outages have not been a problem as of Sunday morning, but could become more prevalent as the winds pick up on Sunday afternoon. Power outages could also take time to restore because high winds may make it dangerous for utility works to climb poles.
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