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Snow continues into today; more than 8 inches expected in Boston

E-mail|Link|Comments () January 3, 2010 01:51 PM

By Matt Carroll, Globe Staff

A slow-moving, two-day storm continued to pile up snow through midday, but was expected to wind down later today, leaving behind slippery roads and plenty of snow for sledding and cross-country skiing.

No major problems have been reported, although there were fender-benders on local roads and flight delays at Logan.

The Boston area today was expected to pick up another 2 to 4 inches of fluff from the storm, which started Friday night, for a total of about 8 1/2 inches, said meteorologist Alan Dunham of the National Weather Service.

Some coastal flooding was expected at high tides around 2 p.m. But with the storm receding, fewer problems than were expected than there were Saturday, Dunham added.

The storm, coming on a holiday weekend, spared most commuters but kept snowplows busy. And with the snowfall spaced out, people had plenty of time to shovel out or take some time to enjoy the snow. At least one cross-country skier this morning took the time to leisurely trace trails through Franklin Park in Boston.

The snowfall won't have much effect on Boston families with tickets to today's public skating on the Winter Classic's temporary ice rink at Fenway Park, other than adding a festive holiday touch. Nick Martin, a spokesman in the mayor's office, said the much-anticipated event will take place according to schedule, with no delays or cancellations.

State Police reported only a few minor accidents, and the speed limit had been lowered on the Mass. Pike. Roads like Route 3 were snow covered, but traffic was moving, if a little slower than normal, as winds swirled the snow and reduced visibility.

Some flights were delayed or cancelled at Logan Airport in Boston. The end of the holidays meant a busy day at the airport, with lines of cars trying to drop off passengers as early as 5:30 a.m. at Terminal C.

Highs today were expected in the upper 20s to around 30 degrees, with a chance of the sun poking through late in the day. Communities in Middlesex County were expected to end up with 6 1/2 to just under 10 inches, while Essex residents could look forward to shoveling between 6 to slightly more than 10 inches.

The Cape got a little less, between 3 to 5 inches, while 5 inches was reported on Martha's Vineyard.

Commuters heading back to work after the long New Year's weekend will have an easier drive than those slipping over the roads today. The forecast is for mostly sunny skies, with highs in the mid-30s.