South Shore and Cape feel brunt of today’s snowstorm

By Deirdre Fernandes, Globe Staff

While snow has stopped falling in the Boston area, the South Shore and Cape Cod are continuing to see flakes and howling winds that are causing slushy roads, power outages, and some cancellations.

The Cape and South Shore are expected to receive the brunt of the accumulation with 6 to 8 inches of snow by the end of today. Brewster had received 6.3 inches of snow by late afternoon, said Alan Dunham, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Wind gusts on the Cape have reached up to 55 mph, Dunham said.

The snow at Logan International Airport measured at 5.1 inches, the highest accumulation in Boston, he said.

National Grid reports more than 3,900 customers without power, most of them on the South Shore, according to the utility’s website. NStar reports about 375 customers who lost power throughout the region.

Morning ferry services to and from Martha’s Vineyard were cancelled but resumed by mid-afternoon, according to officials with the Steamship Authority.

The 2:30 p.m. ferry leaving Martha’s Vineyard to Woods Hole was back on track. And a ferry left from Nantucket to Hyannis at noon; depending on its arrival time, it may make the trip back to Nantucket, according to officials with the authority.

Flights are arriving and departing out of Logan, but some airlines are reporting delays.

The MBTA is operating on its regular schedule.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino talked to the city’s snow team this morning and will again be meeting with them this afternoon, said John Guilfoil, a city spokesman.

“A good thing about a snow like this is you’re not getting 2 or 3 or 4 inches of snow fall an hour,” Guilfoil said. “It’s much more manageable.”

This storm is far less severe than last weekend’s historic snowfall. And unlike last Sunday, cities and towns aren’t facing the intense pressure to clear all the roads and school parking lots and sidewalks for a rush of commuters and students. Monday is a federal and state holiday and students are off this week for February vacation.

Still, Sunday’s snow caused its share of headaches.

Mark Powell, an employee of a property management company, said he spent about 20 hours over two days shoveling out last week’s snowstorm. He was back on Dorchester Avenue shortly after 10 a.m. today, snow still falling, strong gusts of wind blowing, expecting about 10 hours of work.

“Even though it’s been a mild winter, these storms, it’s hard to keep up on them,” he said. “On a Sunday morning, this is like the last place you wanna be -- shoveling.”

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has deployed a majority of its crews and equipment to the South Shore and Cape, said Sara Lavoie, a spokeswoman for the agency.

The Massachusetts DOT has more than 1,800 pieces of equipment treating and plowing highways east of Worcester, she said.

Many of these crews haven’t had much of a break since last weekend, Lavoie said.

Drivers should use caution and if possible, stay off the roads.

“It’s Sunday morning,” Lavoie said. “Sunday morning is wonderful. They can just stay home.”

High winds will continue to be a factor after the snow stops, with west winds 20 to 25 miles per hour and gusts up to 45 miles per hour into tonight. Monday will be sunny and breezy with highs in the low 30s, said Dunham, at the National Weather Service.

“There’s a chance of rain Tuesday and Tuesday night as a weak system moves across the area,” he said. “After that, [there will be] fair weather for the rest of the week with highs generally in the 30s.”

Massachusetts State Police spokeswoman Nicole Morrell said she has so far heard no reports of car accidents on state roads due to the storm.

“It’s been very quiet,” she said.