Salem Winter Storm: Schools Remote Tuesday, No Day Testing

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools had an early release day on Monday and a full remote learning day on Tuesday after a messy winter storm brought high winds and heavy rain to the immediate coast and huge snow totals just a few miles inland.

The city also announced that municipal offices were to open at 9 a.m. with anyone able to conduct business with the city remotely via online or telephone asked to do so.

Salem State University delayed its opening on Tuesday until 10:30 a.m.

"Stop the Spread" coronavirus testing at the "Old Town Hall" side has been suspended for Tuesday. Testing was still scheduled for Salem High School late Tuesday afternoon.

Salem schools decided to use remote learning in place of traditional snow days off for the 2020-21 school year amid the coronavirus health crisis.

"In response to an overnight shift in the start time of the snowstorm we have decided to dismiss schools early (Monday)," Salem Superintendent Stephen Zrike said on Monday. "We have also called for a fully remote day (Tuesday) to allow the large storm to pass and the extensive cleanup to occur. We appreciate your flexibility!"

A snow emergency parking ban began at 4 p.m. on Monday. This includes the downtown district.

The Museum Place Garage and South Harbor Garage snow emergency parking rates went into effect at 2 p.m.

A strong Northeast wind caused a massive variance between snow totals along the coast and those just a few miles inland. While the immediate coast on the North and South shores received little, if any, snow, Wilmington was a jackpot town just 15 miles inland with 20 inches.

Most communities in Middlesex, Worcester and inland Essex counties were hit with more than a foot of snow.

Here's a county-by-county breakdown of snow observations which constructed this map: https://t.co/nbXQ9eFfy2 Significant wind gusts (over 46 mph) are also included. https://t.co/IYK3X498Xb
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) February 2, 2021

Early dismissal times Monday were 11:20 a.m. for Bates and Bentley, 11:30 for Saltonstall, 11:35 for Horace Mann, noon for Carlton and Witchcraft Heights, 12:15 p.m. for Salem High, 12:30 for Collins and 1 p.m. for New Liberty, Salem Prep and ECC.

Salem State University canceled all classes 4:30 p.m. or later on Monday.

The Salem Public Library closed at 4 p.m. on Monday.

The Library will close at 4:00pm today due to the storm. Stay safe and warm! pic.twitter.com/OJZkjrwA2x
— SalemMAPublicLibrary (@SalemMALibrary) February 1, 2021

The state also canceled all "Stop the Spread" coronavirus testing at Salem High School Monday night.

All state workers are advised to work from home on Monday.

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

Check back on Patch throughout the day on Tuesday for updates on possible school closings, public building shutdowns, parking bans, trash delays and other storm-related information.

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

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)