In anticipation of the eight to 12 inches of snow Winter Storm Nika is expected to slam Boston with, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and his snow team have enacted a snow emergency and parking ban, and is closing all Boston Public Schools as well, beginning Tuesday night at 11:00 p.m.. City Hall, though, is expected to be be open for business as usual.

“Our team is ready for this storm,” Mayor Walsh said in a statement. “We’re expecting a very difficult morning commute, and for that reason we’re urging everyone to use public transportation to travel in and around the city tomorrow.”

In light of the parking ban, discounted parking will be available at several parking lots and garages to cars that display Boston resident parking stickers. Designated snow emergency parking locales can be seen using this interactive map courtesy of the City of Boston. Parking spaces that are off limits will bear sings that say “Tow Zone No Parking During Snow Emergency” and it’s important that the parking ban is taken seriously, Boston, because the result could be parking tickets or your vehicle could be towed.

The Mayor’s office did not specify how long the snow emergency and parking ban would last but the heaviest snow fall predicted to fall at 6 a.m, at a rate of one inch per hour.

As if Winter Storm Nika wasn’t inconvenient enough, the Mayor’s office notes further that “Another significant storm is expected for this weekend, and dropping temperatures are forecast” which means that commuters should drive as cautiously as possible for the precipitation and falling temperatures indicate the likelihood of icy roadways.

The Mayor’s 24-Hour Hotline will have additional staff on-hand and residents with weather-related questions or concerns, including down power lines, down trees or icy conditions, should call (617) 635-4500.

Stay tuned to BostInno for more coverage on Winter Storm Nika as information and details continue to be made publicly available.