MA Braces For Nor'easter To Dump 12+ Inches Across State

Well over a foot of snow is expected to fall in Massachusetts over the next 36 hours, the bulk of it coming Monday as a nor'easter passes through.

The National Weather Service is forecasting 7-15 inches of wet, heavy snow, with the coast and Cape and Islands receiving just a coating. A winter storm warning is in effect throughout the state except for the Cape and Islands, which has a high wind warning as gusts of 60 miles per hour are possible.

Confidence grew over the weekend that the rain/snow line will be far enough south that most of Southern New England will be covered in several inches of snow. Officials scrambled to adjust school plans and vaccination efforts before a single flake fell.

Dozens of schools have either canceled or announced early-release.

The Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, one of the state's mass vaccination sites, is rescheduling all of its first day of vaccination appointments to Feb. 8. Monday is the first day of Phase Two of the state's vaccination plan, meaning those 75 and older can begin getting inoculated against COVID-19.

State transportation officials are asking residents to stay home if possible, warning of increasingly dangerous winter weather conditions.

"We urge the public to take this storm seriously because driving conditions will be difficult, with heavy snow falling at a fast rate and gusty winds expected," Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler said in a news release.

Tractor-trailers will be banned on the Mass Pike between 10 a.m. and midnight. Officials said State Police could limit travel to 40 miles per hour on the Pike.

The MBTA is working on a regular weekend schedule. Mattapan Line trolley service will be replaced by buses at 3 p.m.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles will close at noon.

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Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi.