SALEM STORM CENTER: Blistering Cold Temps on the Way

Updated: 12 p.m.: Salem Snow Emergency ends at 1 p.m.

Updated 10:30 a.m.: Snow totals for Boston, surrounding areas.

Updated 9:30 a.m.: How would you rate the plowing during the storm? Feel free to give praise or thanks, express frustrations or offer up constructive criticism here.

Updated 9:05 a.m.: Be prepared for a wind chill in the negative teens tonight. 

Updated, Friday, 9 a.m.: It's hard to tell how much snow we've gotten because of the snow drifts. WBZ News is reporting 10 inches so far. 

Sign-off Thursday Night 

Updated 6 p.m.: The National Weather Service is predicting that local residents can expect more than a foot of snow.

Updated 5 p.m.: Salem Christmas Tree Bonfire has been canceled. Click Here for our full story.

Updated 4:50 p.m.: Salem is now under a blizzard warning on Thursday evening. A winter storm had been in effect and was upgraded to a blizzard warning at about 4 p.m. on Thursday. The blizzard warning will run until 11 a.m. on Friday.

Updated 4:30 p.m.: Salem State University will be closed on Friday, Jan. 3. A decision on Friday evening classes will be made at a later time.

Updated 4:00 p.m.: Salem city offices closed.

Updated 3:30 p.m.: Courthouses statewide, including Salem District Court, were closed today at 3 p.m. and will delay opening on Friday until noon. The state says a further assessment for afternoon operations will be made Friday morning. No first-day jurors are scheduled to report on Friday.

Updated 1:36 p.m.: The governor is sending state workers home at 3 p.m. and urging private employers to send employees home early.

Updated 12:30 p.m.: Salem firefighters are battling a structure fire on Pierce Avenue. Click Here to view video from the scene.

Updated 12 p.m.: Christmas Tree Pickup will not occur today or tomorrow. Please do not put your Christmas tree curbside. Please check salem.com for updated tree pickup and bonfire information.

Updated Thursday at 10 a.m.: The city of Salem has declared that a snow emergency will take effect at 6 p.m. Thursday. The emergency will remain in effect until further notice.

Updated Thursday at 9:27 a.m.: Massachusetts State Police are asking drivers to stay home if possible due to slick road conditions.

"Roads are just going to get more snow covered," State Police tweeted. "If you don't have to go out, stay in today. Let the plows do their job."

Original Story, Thursday at 5 a.m.: Get your shovels ready, Salem. You're going to need them.

The first storm of 2014 is underway as the initial flakes began falling after midnight on Thursday. During the day on Thursday there will be some accumulation, though much of the snow will come Thursday night into Friday before the storm ends by Friday afternoon.

Below is what you need to know about this week's significant winter storm. We will be updating this storm center article throughout the storm, so be sure to check back throughout.

Current Forecasts
How much snow is Salem expected to get Thursday and Friday? Here are the projections as of Thursday at 5 a.m.

• National Weather Service: 10-14 inches
• Channel 4, WBZ: 10-14+ inches
• Channel 5, WCVB: 9-15 inches
• Channel 7, WHDH: 8-12 inches
• Channel 25, FOX: 10-14 inches

School Closed

Due to the expected cold temperatures and snow, Salem public schools will be closed Thursday, Jan. 2 and Friday Jan. 3, according to this announcement on the SPS website. Salem State University has also canceled classes. Click Here for our full story.

Snow Emergency Declared

If you normally park your vehicle on the street, you're going to need to make alternative plans on Thursday and Friday. Salem has declared a snow emergency beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Salem Emergency Contacts

• In case of an emergency, dial 911
  
• Salem Police Department - 978-744-1212
• Salem Fire Department - 978-744-1235
• National Grid power outages: 800-465-1212
• National Grid gas emergencies: 800-233-5325
• NStar: Report a power outage website

---

SIDEWALKS

The removal of the snow and ice from sidewalks is greatly appreciated. This will help school children, the elderly, and the general public from having to walk in the street. The City of Salem clears designated sidewalks following each storm. It takes time to accomplish this task and it is only done after all the roads have been cleared.

There are city ordinances requiring property owners to remove snow and ice from their bordering sidewalks within six hours after the snow ceases to fall or the city's snow emergency lights are turned off, whichever time is later. ~If the snow ceases to fall and the snow emergency lights are turned off in the nighttime, the snow shall be removed before 12:00 noon. If he/she neglects to do so, he/she shall be fined $25 for 1st offense, $75 for 2nd offense and $100 for 3rd and subsequent offenses.

DRIVEWAYS

While the Department of Public Services tries to minimize the amount of snow that gets plowed across driveways and exits, it is unavoidable. Clearing driveway openings is the responsibility of the property owner.Plow blades cannot be lifted as they pass by a driveway.Unfortunately, snow will be plowed into driveways as we perform curb-to-curb plowing.You may wish to clear your driveway several times during the storm or wait until the storm and plowing activities have ended.~Snowplowing, shoveling, or throwing snow back onto the street when clearing driveways and sidewalks is prohibited by City Ordinance and violators can be fined $75 for 1st offense, $150 for 2nd offense and $200 for 3rd and subsequent offenses.

Salem's New Snow Emergency Parking Policy

In an effort to simplify parking in city garages during snow emergencies, the Salem Mayor's Office has changed its parking rate during emergencies to a flat fee of $5 for any period of time up to 24 hours.

---

Be sure to follow Salem Patch on Twitter and Facebook throughout the storm as we'll have ongoing updates there as well.

Do you get our daily newsletter and our breaking news alerts? If not, sign up here. It's free!