Have Yourself A Gusty Little Christmas: High Wind Watch, Possible Outages Over Holidays

By Leave a Comment

Photo: High wind watch this Christmas (Photo credit: DPA)

Santa Claus may show up later than usual Christmas Eve as ol’ St. Nick and his reindeer will be fighting against a nasty Nor’easter about to slam into Belmont and southern New England on Dec. 24 and into Christmas.

The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Watch starting Thursday after dark and lasting through Friday afternoon as a storm heads up the Atlantic coast bringing mild temperatures – highs in the mid-50s Christmas – along with winds between 20 to 30 mph with gusts reaching 60 mph.

“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” said the NWS in its press release of Dec. 23.

“Widespread power outages are possible” and “[t]ravel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” the statement read.

If the Christmas lights should go dark, call Belmont Light at 617-993-2800 to report the outage. Do not call 911 if losing power is not an emergency.

With A Foot Forecast On Thursday, Belmont Schools Ready For Return Of Snow Days

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Snow heading our way.

The first significant storm of winter will buffer Belmont with upwards of a foot of wind-driven snow starting Wednesday night, Dec. 16, and lasting until the early afternoon Thursday.

And while there had been discussions during the summer that school closures due to snowstorms were a thing of the past – every student has demonstrated they can learn in the remote phase – the Belmont Schools are preparing for the return of the snow day.

First, the forecast: The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for Belmont and eastern Massachusetts that will go into effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday until 1 p.m. Thursday as southern New England can expect heavy snowfall with accumulations of 8 to 12 inches with some locally higher totals. The storm will be accompanied by wind gusts as high as 35 mph.

The NWS warned that travel could be “very difficult to impossible” during nighttime hours Wednesday with the hazardous conditions impacting the morning commute.

In a message released Tuesday by Belmont Superintendent John Phelan, a school cancellation notification for Thursday will be issued by Wednesday early evening. In that event, all classes, both hybrid and remote-only, would be canceled.

“Families will receive an email and “robocall” if there is a school cancellation,” said Phelan. “If you do not receive an email or call, school will open as normal.”

In addition to an email and a call, the Belmont Public School website will list weather closures. The local television and radio stations will also list cancellations. See below for some helpful links:

WBZ Radio (1030 AM) and TV (Channel 4) https://boston.cbslocal.com/closings/

WRKO Radio (680 AM) and WHDH TV (Channel 7) https://whdh.com/storm-closings-delays/

WCVB TV (Channel 5) https://www.wcvb.com/weather/closings 

The BPS Website https://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bps/Parents/School-Closing-Delayed-Opening

High Wind Advisory Monday, Tree Damage, Power Outages Likely During Gusty Conditions

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Trees will be buffeted by high winds this afternoon and night.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warn for Belmont and eastern Massachusetts beginning at 3 p.m., Monday, Nov. 30, and lasting until 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Residents can expect steady west winds between 20 to 30 mph with gusts between 50 to 60 mph which could result in trees or large branches coming down causing scattered power outages.

Belmont Light’s number to report power outages is 617-993-2800. Do not call 911 for a non-emergency call.

During the advisory, people should follow these precautions:

  • Use caution if you must drive. Travel will be difficult especially for high-profile vehicles such as trucks and buses. 
  • People should also avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches.
  • If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows.

Belmont Under High Wind Warning Wednesday

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont is under the weather today

The National Weather Service has placed Belmont under a High Wind Warning effective from 2 p.m. this afternoon, Wednesday, Oct 7 until 2 a.m. Thursday morning.

Residents can expect steady west winds between 20 to 30 mph with gusts between 50 to 60 mph which could result in trees or large branches coming down causing scattered power outages. Travel will be difficult especially for high profile vehicle such as trucks and buses.

People should also avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. And use caution if you must drive.

Belmont Light’s number to report power outages is 617-993-2800. Do not call 911 for a non-emergency call.

Tropical Storm Bringing Windy Conditions Tuesday Afternoon; Prepare For Outages

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Latest map from the National Weather Service.

While the worse of Tropical Storm Isaias will impact central and western New England with heavy rain, flooding and possible tornados, Belmont will be visited with buffeting winds beginning on Tuesday afternoon, August 4, according to the National Weather Service in Boston.

Strong, sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 40 to 50 mph can be expected with a low risk of 60 mph gusts as Eastern Massachusetts will be under a Tropical Storm Watch. Such winds can lead to downed trees and power outages, according to the service.

Below are telephone numbers to keep at the ready during the storm:

Belmont Light (to report outages): 617-993-2800.

The Town of Belmont EMERGENCY HOTLINE: (617) 993-2698.

Unless it is an emergency, do not call 911.

You can also see where outages are taking place on the Belmont Light’s Outage map.

Math Monday: High Winds +Lots Of Trees=Possible Outages

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Maximum wind speed map for Monday, April 13.

Just your luck: the possibility of no electricity during a shelter in place.

It’s going to be a windy and wild Monday as gusts upwards of 65 mph which could cause damage to trees and power lines in Belmont, according to the National Weather Service that issued a High Wind and Storm watches for Monday, April 13.

If you experience a power outage, call Belmont Light at 617-993-2800. Do not call 911.

Winds from the south at a steady 20 to 30 mph with the occasional gust as high as 65 will buffer most of southern and central New England including Belmont during daylight hours. The winds will be accompanied by a soaking rain.

“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” noted the weather service in its latest update issued at 11:32 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 12. “Widespread power outages are possible”

The NWS advise residents to fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe location prior to the onset of the winds.

Belmont Under Winter Weather Advisory ‘Til New Year’s Eve Morning

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Icy, snowy mess over the next 48 hours.

A large part of eastern Massachusetts including Belmont has been placed under a Winter Weather Advisory starting at 10:26 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28 and lasting until 7 a.m. Tuesday, New Year’s Eve.

The National Weather Service issued an “urgent” message Sunday that the impacted area will receive about an inch of mixed precipitation of snow and sleet along with a light glazing of ice producing hazardous conditions including slippery road conditions that could impact Monday’s morning or evening commute.

During the advisory, winds will gust as high as 35 m.p.h. buffering the Massachusetts coast. High winds could damage trees causing electrical outages. Below are telephone numbers to keep at the ready when the lights go out:

  • Belmont Light (to report outages): 617-993-2800.
  • The Town of Belmont EMERGENCY HOTLINE: (617) 993-2698.

First Winter Storm Brings Snow, Rain Through Tuesday; Schools Still Open Monday

By Leave a Comment

Photo: A snowy return from the Thanksgiving break.

Monday and Tuesday’s morning commutes will be trying for commuters and students as Belmont prepares for the first winter storm of the season which begins late Sunday evening, Dec. 1.

Belmont is under a Winter Storm Warning which will last until 7 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. Belmont currently lies on the line of 6 to 8 inches and 8 to 12 inches of snow according to the latest map from the National Weather Service Boston.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, Belmont schools will open on Monday.

In a 4 p.m. Sunday update from the NWS, heavy accumulating snow will come in two parts:

  • First part beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday through just after midnight Monday, Dec. 2, with the heaviest snow north of the Mass Pike;
  • The second part will begin Monday night into Tuesday morning, with greater snowfall in eastern Massachusetts.

A mix of freezing rain and sleet along with light snow will fall during the day Monday.

Snow Parking Ban Begins Midnight Monday; Belmont Under Winter Storm Warning

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Snow falling for most of the morning Monday.

A Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday, March 3, has prompted Belmont to announce a town-wide parking ban effect at midnight, Monday, March 4. 

No information as of 3 p.m., Sunday, March 3, whether Belmont public schools will be delayed or closed on Monday.

According to Ted Pendergast, Belmont Police’s 911 Operations Manager, a Snow Emergency Parking Ban will be in effect on all roadways, as well as in municipal and Belmont public school parking lots, until further notice.  Any vehicle parked in violation of the ban will be towed at the owner’s expense. 

In addition to the parking ban, trash pickup will be delayed one day. Monday’s pickup is now Tuesday.

The NWS is forecasting between 6 to 8 inches of heavy snow beginning at 7 p.m., Sunday and lasting to 10 a.m. Monday. Travel could be very difficult especially around the morning commute.

Power Outages Possible As High Wind Warning Issued Thru Monday

By 1 Comment

Photo: Damaging winds heading to Belmont

A High Wind Warning was issued by the National Weather Service, Sunday, Feb. 24, for Belmont and most of New England with predictions of gusts as high as 63 knots impacting the area through late Monday, Feb. 25.

The warning, which began at 3 a.m. Monday will remain in effect until 7 p.m. as damaging winds from the west steady at 40 mph and as has a 60, “will blow down trees and power lines” causing “widespread power outages,” said the service. Driving will be difficult, especially for larger passenger vehicles. Homeowners should secure loose outdoor objects such as trash and recycling carts. 

If you should loss power, call Belmont Light‘s outage number 617-993-2800. Do not use the webpage or call 911 to report a power outage.