As central and western Massachusetts cities and towns brace for an all-day snowstorm and possible accumulation of more than six inches Tuesday, the Greenfield Fire Department is urging residents to take safety precautions.
In a winter storm warning published Monday, the National Weather Service advised that communities including Orange and Greenfield may be hit with snow from 7 a.m. Tuesday until 7 a.m. Wednesday.
“Heavy snow is expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 9 inches,” the advisory stated. “Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes. Significant accumulation of wet, dense snow weighing on trees and powerlines could cause them to be downed.”
The National Weather Service also advised those who must travel to keep a flashlight, food and water in their vehicle in case of an emergency.
David Hayes, the region’s “Weather Nut,” called Tuesday’s storm, “an early season elevation-dependent winter storm.”
This means, he said, that communities located above 1,000 feet in elevation can expect to receive steeper rates of snowfall than those southernmost communities. Towns such as Leverett, Shutesbury, Williamsburg, Cummington, Worthington, Goshen, Plainfield and Chesterfield are expected to receive between 5 and 9 inches of snow.
Meanwhile to the south, communities such as Northampton and Amherst may see a wintry mix of rain and snow, or just rain, in the afternoon hours. Hayes projects that accumulation will add up to about 2 to 5 inches in these communities. Even farther south in Hartford, he expects conditions to be predominantly rainy.
Hayes said that since the storm is low pressure, it will, “make a beeline” north and head to southern Vermont, New Hampshire and later Quebec, Canada.
Greenfield parking ban
A parking ban will be in effect in Greenfield from 7 a.m. Tuesday until 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to Jonathon Weber, director of communications for Mayor Ginny Desorgher.
Parking will be allowed in the Chapman and Davis Street parking lot, where overnight parking is only allowed in the overnight parking spaces. Cars must be moved for plowing in the overnight spaces between 8 and 10 a.m.
Drivers also will be allowed to park in on-street metered spots during regular business hours in the Downtown Business District and in the Olive Street Parking Garage, which will have free parking during the ban.
In a written statement released by the mayor’s office, Desorgher noted that illegally parked vehicles are the biggest obstacle to snow removal and will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. She urged residents to comply with the parking ban and “strongly encouraged” them to sign up for Greenfield Alerts to receive notifications when a ban is lifted by texting “Greenfield” to 67283.
When a storm begins, Department of Public Works crews treat main roads and hill sections to keep traffic moving and prevent snow from bonding to the pavement. The process involves over 25 of the city’s plow trucks and typically takes about seven hours to complete one full pass of all routes, Desorgher stated. She added that plowing begins when snow accumulates to approximately three inches, or when that amount is in the forecast.
“Clearing snow and ice from Greenfield’s 120 miles of roadways is a significant effort for our Department of Public Works,” Desorgher wrote. “The cooperation of all residents is critical to helping our team get the job done efficiently and effectively.”
Greenfield Fire Chief Robert Strahan advised that residents avoid the roads if possible and monitor weather conditions. He noted that residents should be prepared for power outages, take frequent breaks when shoveling, clear the snow off hydrants near their homes and make sure exhaust vents are clear of snow.
The mayor reminded homeowners that they are responsible for clearing their own driveways, portions of the sidewalk adjacent to their homes and the fire hydrants outside their properties.
Treated winter sand is available to residents for free at the DPW Yard, 209 Wells St., Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and during storm operations.
Annual parking bans in effect
As the storm approaches, annual parking bans have gone into effect in a few towns in Franklin County.
In Buckland and Shelburne, the winter parking ban is now in effect until March 31, 2026.
In Buckland, no overnight parking on any town street, roadway, or sidewalk will be allowed from midnight to 6 a.m. Overnight parking is allowed in the long lot located near the Fraternal Order of Eagles parking lot, the Town Hall lot off William Street and the Salmon Falls lot behind the Salmon Falls Building on Ashfield Street. However, parking is not allowed in these lots from 8 a.m. to noon during snow events to allow for plowing.
In Shelburne during snow events declared by the Highway Department or Selectboard and indicated by blue flashing lights in the village, parking is banned on the streets as well as in the parking lot behind the Greenfield Savings Bank, Keystone Market and the Art Bank Building. Parking is allowed in the back row behind Keystone Market, at Cross Street parking lot, the Arms Academy parking lot, and at the Cul-de-sac below the former Mole Hollow Candle, located off of Deerfield Avenue.
Montague also has instituted its annual parking ban. The town-wide ban, excluding downtown Turners Falls and the Patch, located between and 10th and 12th streets, is in effect now until April 1, 2026. Parking is not allowed on public roads or streets between 1 and 5 a.m.
In downtown Tuners Falls and the Patch, on-street parking is allowed through the winter. Street parking is not allowed between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. during declared winter emergencies. Winter emergencies are designated by flashing blue lights at the traffic lights on Avenue A, and on the town website, with a map of the winter emergency parking areas available for residents to view.
In South County, Whately’s parking ban will be in effect until April 15, 2026. No parking is allowed on streets or in municipal parking areas between midnight and 7 a.m. This parking restriction doesn’t apply to residents of the Smikes House and their guests who park in the designated parking spaces.
In Conway, the winter parking ban goes into in effect from Nov. 1 of each year through April of the succeeding year, between the hours of midnight and 7 a.m. On-street parking on public roadways will not be permitted during these times. In addition, vehicles should be removed from public roadways during daylight hours in the instance of inclement weather or a stated snow emergency for snow removal.
In Deerfield, a parking ban is also in effect until May 1, with no overnight parking allowed on town streets between 1 and 6 a.m., Town Administrator Christopher Dunne confirmed on Monday.
And in Orange, the seasonal parking ban has gone in effect starting Nov. 30, with on-street parking banned between 2 and 6 a.m. to allow for snow clearing, the Orange Police Department shared on its Facebook page.
Erin-Leigh Hoffman, Aalianna Marietta and Sam Gelinas contributed to this report.