Natick Snowstorm: Trash Pickup Delay, School Dismissal

NATICK, MA — Massachusetts will begin February with a strong snowstorm that could drop anywhere between 12 and 18 inches of precipitation on the MetroWest area.

The snow will begin Monday morning around noon, according to the latest forecasts. But the snow will begin to fall heavily around rush hour, and continue into Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a nearly 24-hour winter storm warning beginning at 7 a.m. Monday.

On top of the snow, wind gusts could get up to 45 mph, with the strongest winds expected in the Worcester hills and west to the Berkshires.

In Natick, the town has decided to delay trash pickup by one day. Natick schools will dismiss one hour early on Monday, the district said. Nearby, the Stop the Spread coronavirus testing site in Framingham was shutting down at noon Monday. MassDOT was warning state residents to avoid highway travel on Monday, and had banned tractor trailers along I-90.

On the transit side, the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority announced all fixed-route service would end around noon on Monday. The Framingham-Worcester commuter rail line was running on the regular winter schedule, but the MBTA warned riders to expect delays.

"Travel could be very difficult to impossible," the weather service said in Sunday's storm warning. "The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches."

If power goes out, you can view estimated restoration times on the state emergency management website, and by calling either National Grid at (800) 322-3223 or Eversource at (800) 592-2000.

Natick typically begins plowing roads and sidewalks after 2 inches accumulates. You can read the town's full snow and ice removal policy on Natick's website.

Have a fun snow photo to share? Email to neal.mcnamara@patch.com if you head out to enjoy the snow.