Region bracing for winter blast

LYNN – Back-to-back winter storms are forecast to dump another 20 inches of snow on eastern Massachusetts starting today and continuing through Wednesday.Public works crews are still cleaning up from last week’s heavy snowfalls and driving conditions remain perilous where high snowbanks limit driver visibility.The latest onslaught of foul weather is expected to arrive today.Meteorologists were first predicting the storm would hit in the afternoon, but adjusted the forecast to say it may start earlier today.Today’s storm is expected to be the smaller of the two, delivering up to eight inches of snow before the second punch adds up to 14 additional inches beginning before dawn Wednesday.Accuweather reports heavy snowfall for Tuesday evening followed by a mix of sleet, snow and ice pellets on Wednesday.Temperatures are expected to hover just below freezing on both days, with today bringing the coldest air. Partially clouded skies are due Thursday with sunshine on tap for Friday.Lynn Department of Public Works Commissioner Jay Fink noted crews are continuing with snow removal and cleanup operations from the last storm. “We are expecting another 10-20 inches over the course of this week,” he said Monday. “Our biggest problem is that already narrowed streets are going to continue to be narrowed. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a thawing in sight.”According to Fink, the department is doing everything possible to keep the streets open and passable. “Be wary of blocking streets. Emergency response apparatus need to get by,” he said.If the snow situation worsens, the city parking commissioner can impose an odd-or-even side of the street parking system to help ensure firetrucks, ambulances and police cruisers have adequate space to maneuver.Deputy Fire Chief James McDonald said firefighters Monday were still digging out hydrants buried by the previous storms.”There are a few that haven’t been touched yet and we’re trying to get them uncovered before we get more snow,” he said.If neighbors have concerns about buried hydrants, they can call the Fire Department 781-593-1234. Callers should speak to an administrative secretary or leave a message.”A concerned neighbor in the Elmore Street-Jackson Street area called this morning and we sent down a ladder company and an engine to dig out the hydrant,” said McDonald.He said less than a dozen of the more than 500 hydrants in the city remain buried.The deputy chief asked motorists to use common sense when parking on the street when no snow emergency is in effect. “Pay attention to where your neighbors are parking so that all the cars are on the same side of the street. That way, the fire apparatus can get by,” he said.Public safety officials held a meeting Monday morning to discuss the pending storm. According to McDonald, a full complement of firefighters will be on duty from the shift change at 5 p.m. today through Wednesday and possibly into Thursday.The town of Saugus declared a snow emergency that started last night at 8 p.m. It’s expected to remain in effect until midnight Wednesday.Saugus Public Works Director Joseph Attubato said, “We have had over 60 inches since the first of the year. By the end of Wednesday, it will be over 70 inches. We’re running out of places to put the snow. If cars are parked on the street during the emergency, they’ll be towed.”Attubato recalled a record-breaking winter in the early 1990s when more than 100 inches fell.”It was brutal, but it didn’t come all at once like this year, when we got so much in January.” The Anna Parker Playground off Essex Street has been used as a staging area where snow removal crews deposit snow.”The pile is a mile high,” Attubato said. “But we keep adding to it as we widen the streets and clear the corners so people can see around them.”