News

Snowstorm ushers in winter

By Katie Curley
Staff writer
Published: December 21, 2008

It's official: Winter is here.

Yesterday's snowstorm pushed the Greater Newburyport area above average for snow totals for December, though still below last year's 27-inch tally.

"Looks like we had 9 inches from the first storm and 7 or 8 inches out of this," local weather observer and Triton teacher Ray Whitley said last night. "Now we are above the normal 10 inches for December. We are up around 16 inches, so we're looking at 5 inches above normal."

Diane Sirard, owner of Soak on State Street, is expecting the next few days before Christmas to be busy ones to make up for the snowy weekend.

Though Sirard had a fairly busy day at the store on Saturday, yesterday's storm sent people running for the comforts of home and out of the snow.

"We've had a lot of locals come down saying they feel bad for us," Sirard said of local businesses. "It's been really slow, even Invitation Night; because of the ice storm a lot of people didn't have power. I wish these storms could have held off for a week."

Department of Public Works employees rushed to clear the roads Saturday as one storm moved out and another moved in.

"We gave our crews as much rest between storms as we could, so they are out there for the duration for the storm doing the rounds," Amesbury Mayor Thatcher Kezer said last night. "Things are in good condition. The snow is coming down at a slow enough pace that they are able to keep up with it."

Kezer reminded residents that, even though the storm may be over, cleanup will continue and the parking ban kept in place.

"Even though no more flakes are coming down, we need to let the crews clean up," Kezer said.

In Newburyport, city officials extended the snow emergency and parking ban until today at 10 a.m. to allow crews the morning to clean up.

Hampton, N.H., police extended the ban through tomorrow at 8 a.m. and reminded residents not to park on the streets or parking lots so roadways can be cleared.

Police worked with the Department of Public Works in local cities and towns to identify icy areas.

State police Trooper Eric Benson said no major accidents or injuries were reported during yesterday's storm, but troopers were busy responding to spin-outs and fender-benders.

"There has been a very large number of cars off the road, spin-outs, minor crashes into the guardrail and rear-end collisions," Benson said as the storm moved out last night. "Really nothing serious. Major roads and highways look pretty good, but they are wet and lesser state highways are snow-covered."

Today's forecast calls for highs in the mid-20s with wind chills as low as zero. More snow showers could move in Tuesday night before temperatures warm to 44 degrees on Christmas Eve, bringing freeing rain and showers for most of the day and night.

Christmas Day's forecast may bring showers but highs will be near 50 degrees.

With the past two weeks keeping locals inside, yesterday was the last chance for some

Snow-covered shoppers chose from the selection of toys at Dragon's Nest in Market Square in Newburyport as owner Kristen Siems got ready to throw rock salt on her front stoop.

"I'm actually surprised how busy we have been," Siems said. "I think people are kind of panicked for Christmas. It's worth it to be open today."

Though the downtown streets were quiet, groups of people ducked into those stores that opened their doors yesterday to finish their shopping.

Life is Good and Valerie's both had lines at the register by late afternoon.

The good news for residents, Whitley said, is the weekend full of shoveling could be the last one for awhile.

"Looking ahead on the model forecasts, which are not 100 percent accurate, this could be the last of it," Whitley said. "I don't see anything beyond Wednesday, so we are all set for this month. But remember the Farmer's Almanac did call for a snowy winter, so we will see how it plays out."