A hard-hitting winter storm is grinding through New England for a second day, and classrooms are going quiet. Boston will lift its snow emergency and parking ban at 8 p.m. Thursday, but Boston Public Schools will stay closed Friday as crews clear snow and ice. Families and commuters should plan for a slow Friday morning. The air stays cold, side streets are narrow, and more snow showers could pop up. ❄️
What closures mean for your Friday
School buildings will be closed across Boston on Friday. The goal is simple, keep buses off icy hills, keep students safe, and give plows room to finish the job. Many nearby districts also called closures or delays, reflecting how widespread the storm’s impacts remain.
City services are shifting into cleanup mode tonight. The end of the snow emergency at 8 p.m. means some normal rules return, but the city is asking drivers to stay off tight streets so crews can widen lanes and clear corners. Trash and recycling schedules may slide where access is still limited. Expect slower fire and ambulance response in congested blocks, because snowbanks choke sightlines and space.
Refreeze is likely overnight. Black ice will form on untreated sidewalks and side streets. Assume slick conditions early Friday.
Travel and parking, explained
With the parking ban set to end at 8 p.m., residents can move cars back to regular spots, including many side streets. Check signs on your block before you park. Plows will be out late, pushing snow back to the curb line. That work reduces lane pinch points, but it also narrows parking for a few more hours.
Roads will improve fastest on major routes. Ramp merges, bridges, and shaded hills will lag. Give buses and plows a wide berth. If you can, take transit and build in extra time. Airport and rail schedules remain vulnerable to delays while crews deice and rotate equipment.
If you dug out a spot on a side street, keep it visible and safe. Avoid placing chairs or cones that block plows or emergency access.
The weather pattern, and why snow is still possible
This storm tapped deep Atlantic moisture and cold air, a classic setup for New England. Bands have pulsed through in waves, with coast-hugging winds feeding extra flakes at times. As the main low pulls away, cold air hangs on. That means lingering ocean-fed snow showers can redevelop, especially near the coast. They are fickle. A five-mile shift can turn flurries into quick bursts that slick roads all over again.
Winds ease tonight, but the breeze stays enough to whip powder back onto cleared lanes. Temperatures drop below freezing, setting the stage for refreeze on every untreated surface.
There is a climate story here too. Warmer oceans are loading storms with more moisture. When arctic air slides south at the same time, heavy snow can still land, even in a warming world. New England is seeing more intense precipitation days, and winter often delivers that as big, disruptive storms. Fewer total snow days are likely over time, yet the biggest events can pack more punch.
Clean streets, clean water, safe homes
Salt and sand keep us upright, but overuse washes into rivers and bays. Spread only what you need. Aim for a light, even coat, not a crust. Pet-safe and plant-safe deicers protect paws and street trees. Clear storm drains to prevent ponding, which freezes into ankle traps by dawn.
Work in short bursts when shoveling. Lift small loads and bend your knees. Carbon monoxide danger rises after storms when vents are buried. Check your heating vents and keep them clear. Hydrants also need a three-foot circle and a path to the street. Minutes matter in a fire.
Clean a nearby storm drain and a hydrant when you finish your sidewalk. These two actions reduce flood and fire risk for the whole block.
How to plan the next 24 hours
- Map a safe school-day plan now, childcare and commutes will be different Friday.
- Leave earlier, walk slower, and give yourself a backup route.
- Park legally after 8 p.m., but expect tight fits and late plow passes.
- Keep a small shovel and sand in your car for surprise snowbanks.
- Check for fresh advisories in the morning before you head out.
The bottom line, schools are closed Friday in Boston to give crews space and time. The parking ban lifts at 8 p.m., but the city is not back to normal. Cold air lingers, roads refreeze, and snow showers may return in pockets. We will keep tracking the bands, the cleanup, and the commute. Take it slow, help your neighbors, and give the plows room. New England knows how to do this, together.
