By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Boston, MA) Due to the snowstorm on December 17, Governor Charlie Baker has ordered non-emergency state employees working in the Executive Branch to remain home and not report to their workplace. Employees who are able to telework should do so. Baker also encouraged the public to take precautions.
“We’re obviously asking people to stay off the roads,” said Baker during a press conference yesterday.
Stephanie Pollack, the State Secretary of Transportation, is also warning travelers.
“In nearly six years I’ve been doing these winter press conferences, you never heard me stand before you and say this. But there may be times when just a single lane is open for travel on some roadways,” said Pollack.
Recent snow predictions totals for Northwestern Massachusetts is anywhere from 16-24 inches according to a popular social media weather predictor Dave Hayes. Overnight, as much as 12 inches was estimated to have already fallen in the area according to Hayes. An additional eight inches is predicted to fall in the Northwestern part of Massachusetts where the heavier snow band is set. In the lower parts of the Pioneer Valley less snow is expected. Wind gusts will get up to 40mph hour at times and the snow isn’t expected to subside until early afternoon. Gusts up to 63mph were measured at Barnes Air Force Base in Westfield according Hayes.