Milford Highway Department Prepared for Long Night

The Milford Highway Department has 20 full time workers out today and 45 contractors, who will start plowing when the snow accumulates on the roads, and keep plowing until the blizzard ends.

The Milford Highway Surveyor said he's confident the department is ready for the Blizzard of 2013, which could dump some 2 feet of snow on Milford overnight. The snow started falling Friday morning, but has not yet started accumulating. At its peak, however, it will fall at a rate of 2 to 3 inches an hour. Blizzard conditions are expected by tonight, that's winds exceeding 35 mph for at least three hours. Scott Crisafulli, Milford's Highway Surveyor, said the department has 20 full time workers out today, and will have 45 contractors too, all plowing routes. They will stay on until the snow is cleared. "They stay on until it's done," Crisafulli said. Unlike the National Grid crews, who will not work on lines until the winds subside, the …

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A Flurry of Blizzard Preparations

Traffic was heavy across Milford on Friday morning and the early afternoon, as residents prepared for the arrival of the Blizzard of 2013. Travel conditions had become slick by 3 p.m.

The grocery stores were jammed. Drivers topped off tanks. The coffee shops had lines. Even the CVS parking lot on South Main Street was packed. Many Milford residents ran around town today, getting last minute preparations done before the blizzard arrives. Snow started falling Friday morning, but as of 1 p.m., no winds yet. The worst of the storm is expected to begin this afternoon. By then, only emergency workers will be allowed on the roads. Gov. Deval Patrick has ordered all non-emergency personnel off the roads by 4 p.m.

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Why Do Snowstorms Have Names Now?

Not all meteorologists accept the name game, or acknowledge this storm as Nemo.

You've probably heard occasional—but perhaps not frequent—references to this winter storm as "Nemo." While it makes for some good jokes about that cute little orange fish, Nemo is not the brainchild of the Disney Corporation, but rather, a pre-determined name The Weather Channel gave to this latest storm. If you missed it: The Weather Channel in November announced it would name "noteworthy winter storms" in the 2012-13 winter season. Sure, snowstorms have been informally named after the fact (remember Snowtober?) This is the first season, however, that The Weather Channel is naming them as it does hurricanes and tropical storms. The rationale? According to the Weather Channel, names raise awareness, make it easier to follow a weather …

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Morning Forecast Puts Snow Totals Closer to 3 Feet

A blizzard warning is in effect until 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9.

OK, so that two feet of snow we were preparing to get last night? Better add another foot to that. The National Weather Service on Friday morning adjusted its predicted snowfall totals to three feet. The timing of the snowfall is roughly the same: light snow falling in Worcester, Middlesex and Norfolk counties Friday morning, and becoming heavy later in the afternoon and into the Friday evening commute. So, as WHDH meteorologist Jeremy Reiner notes in his blog, you have a "few hours left this morning" to run some errands, but travel will deteriorate this afternoon. By 7 tonight, most towns will have 2 to 4 inches, Reiner predicted. The storm should be the worst from 7 p.m. Friday to noon tomorrow, when snow could fall at a rate of 2 to 3 …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Feb. 8

Make sure you park your car off the streets tonight, to allow snow plows to plow.

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. A reminder that Milford streets need to be cleared of cars overnight to allow plows to do their jobs. The parking ban is in effect. Police have had cars that blocked plows towed in lesser storms. Move all cars off-road. 2. Did you know this blizzard has a name? The Weather Channel is calling it NEMO, leading to many jokes on Twitter and Facebook about finding it. 3. Speaking of social media, the Milford Police Department has a Twitter page and a Facebook page, for people who follow their news over the next day or so via social media. 4. Many stores and businesses in…

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Transcript: Blizzard of '13 Live Chat

Check here for updates from Patch, public safety personnel and residents as Massachusetts rides out the Blizzard of 2013.

New England may be in shutdown mode as a giant blizzard barrels through the area, but the conversation is alive and well on Twitter and the rest of the Web. Follow our live chat from Friday morning through the duration of the storm for updates in your neighborhood and around the rest of the state. Patch editors will provide continuous updates, and Twitter feeds from public officials, safety personnel and residents will let you know what's happening outside your window. If you'd like to ask a question during the chat, simply add it in the comment section above. We can't get to every question but will try our best to provide as much information as we can.

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