Snow day is snow problem as Dartmouth continues to face winter storm
The frozen Padanaram Harbor. Photo by Mari Huglin
Adeline Santos and her cousin Sadie Thomas getting ready to shovel as the snow began to fall on Sunday. Source: Audra Thomas
A group of Patriots fans celebrate. Source: Shelly Taffe
Padanaram Bridge covered in snow. Photo by Mari Huglin
A snowy house on the water. Photo by Mari Huglin
The frozen Padanaram Harbor. Photo by Mari Huglin
Adeline Santos and her cousin Sadie Thomas getting ready to shovel as the snow began to fall on Sunday. Source: Audra Thomas
A group of Patriots fans celebrate. Source: Shelly Taffe
Padanaram Bridge covered in snow. Photo by Mari Huglin
A snowy house on the water. Photo by Mari Huglin
As the winter storm that started this morning continues into the evening and Monday morning, Dartmouth has gotten around 14 inches of light and powdery snow as of 12 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26.
The snow is estimated to turn into potential mixed precipitation in the early morning, and turn back to snow during the day on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Emergency Management Director Tim Sheehan said the potential rain could freeze into ice, causing risky conditions like icy roads.
He also warned about the low temperatures that could cause issues like burst pipes, with a high of 32 degrees and low of 17 degrees.
The snow has been light so far, which reduces the risk for structural damage.
Sheehan said snowfall rates will reduce after midnight, with the National Weather Service predicting less than an inch of precipitation Monday.
The Emergency Management Agency will be working overnight, assisting with downed wires and power outages so that police, firefighters and emergency medical services can respond to other emergencies.
Eversource reported one minor power outage around 2:30 p.m. on Russells Mills Road, which has now been restored. There are no storm related emergencies are currently known
“A successful mitigation of storm related issues are the collaboration between all the stakeholders working for the benefit of our community,” said Sheehan.
School has been cancelled at Dartmouth public schools, Bishop Stang and UMass Dartmouth.
Town Hall will be closed and town officials will be working virtually, with the select board meeting being held via Zoom. The School Committee moved their Monday meeting to be in-person on Tuesday.
People have been enjoying staying inside, with activities such as cooking, watching their fish tanks, cleaning out their closets to donate, planning games and listening to Disney music.
The Department of Public Works will continue to plow Monday, although Sheehan advised people to continue to stay at home and off the roads, if possible.
“It wasn’t the blizzard of ‘78, and we did not have the high winds and we did not have the high tides, which worked in our favor,” said Sheehan.
He said he thinks the last storm of this volume was in 2022, when Dartmouth got just over 14 inches.
The parking ban will remain in effect until 11 p.m. on Monday. This means not parking on the side with a fire hydrant, and if there is no fire hydrant parking on the side with even numbered houses.
