Keep those shovels and ice scrapers handy Boston, because additional snowfall is in the forecast.
As public works crews continue to battle what was left by the historic winter storm over the weekend, weather experts are calling for more snow to blanket the Northeast this week.
“There is a possibility of additional snow Thursday, but it doesn’t look to be a significant storm,” according to a meteorologist from the National Weather Service’s Boston headquarters. “We haven’t determined an amount.”
Following possible flurries Thursday, the spokesman said people should expect to see more wintry weather on Saturday night into Sunday.
On Monday, Somerville reinstated a snow emergency following the notable weekend snowstorm, which dumped two feet in some areas, in anticipation of the additional snow piling up around the city.
“Due to high snow accumulations and ongoing work to clear public streets and walkways—and the forecast for more potential snow events this week, the City’s snow emergency will remain in effect until further notice,” according to Somerville officials.
Crews in Somerville, Cambridge and Boston are already trying to find spots to dump the excess snow, which left mounds of white across the state, ranking the storm in the top five for most severe winter storms in Massachusetts.
Monday morning’s drizzle may have helped keep some of the accumulation from the winter storm at bay this week, but workers still had plans to battle the onslaught of snow around the clock.
“[They will be] removing high snow banks that impair visibility, as well as at bus stops and crosswalks. To ensure the safety of all residents, particularly children, school has been canceled through Wednesday,” Somerville officials said in a statement on the city’s Facebook page.
In the Hub, a special task force was formulated by Mayor Tom Menino’s office to battle the brick-hard piles of snow that were bestowed upon Boston during the storm.
The “Snow Removal Strike Force,” comprised of members of the Boston Public Works Department, Boston Transportation Department, Boston Police Department, and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, were deployed across the Hub in a coordinated effort to remove piles of snow from roadways and intersections, according to officials.
“We have done a lot of plowing,” said John Guilfoil, spokesman from the Mayor’s office. “Now we are working on removing snow” from street corners.
Guilfoil said equipment is going to key spots to get rid of the massive piles, but it’s a slow process.
When asked if the city was concerned about the possibility of additional snow, Guilfoil said there was a “sense of urgency” to clear what’s already in the way.
“We don’t want snow on the ground anyways,” he said. “But we will get through this, and keep an eye on the weather.”
Boston has “snow farms,” said Guilfoil, where large utility vehicles are dumping the mounds.
Guilfoil called the process “tedious,” but assured residents work will continue “in full force” following Monday night’s commute.
“They are working diligently to get paths cleared,” he said.
Workers in Boston, including MBTA employees, spent the entire weekend, and the start of the workweek, trying to clear 850 miles of road so constituents could safely maneuver the sidewalks and roadways.
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