Weymouth Storm Center: Blizzard Warning Issued

WEYMOUTH, MA — The first big storm of the season is heading this way and will bring high winds and plenty of show with it.

The National Weather Service is predicting 12 to 18 inches of snow for the Weymouth area, with the potential of heavy snow and near blizzard conditions across Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Due to the expected conditions, a blizzard warning is in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Residents should expect travel will be very dangerous, along with possible damage to trees and power lines, according to the NWS. Winds gusts as high as 60 mph will cause whiteout conditions in blowing snow.

Scattered to widespread power outages are anticipated.

A blizzard warning is issued when severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. The NWS advises residents to stay home and not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you.

The South Shore also has a coastal flood warning in effect from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. Moderate to major impact are likely and shore roads can expect widespread flooding, according to the NWS.

The temperature is not expected to break 30 degrees Thursday, with a low of 8 expected, then frigid temperatures for most of the weekend.

Here's what weather forecasters are predicting for us:

• National Weather Service: 12 to 18 inches
• NBC Boston/NECN: 12 to 16 inches
• WCVB: 10 to 15 inches
• WFXT: 10 to 16 inches
• WHDH: 12 to 16 inches
• WBZ: 12+ inches

Status Of School

Weymouth students have no school Thursday and Friday.

Parking Ban

Per the Weymouth Police Department, a parking ban goes into effect Thursday at midnight. No vehicle can be parked on public way beginning from the start of the ban until further notice. Vehicles in violation of the ban will be ticketed and towed.

This includes all public ways from main roads to dead end streets.

Emergency Numbers

• In case of an emergency, dial 911
• Weymouth Police Department: 781-335-1212
• Weymouth Fire Department: 781-337-5151
• National Grid power outages: 800-465-1212
• National Grid gas emergencies: 800-233-5325
• Comcast: 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)
• Verizon: 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966)

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch