Another Messy Storm Moves into New England on Thursday Afternoon A low-pressure system is expected to bring rain and strong winds to the region starting Thursday afternoon, with the potential for heavy downpours and thunderstorms by Friday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for most of Massachusetts, as well as parts of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. The storm is expected to move into the region late Thursday afternoon, bringing with it a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. As the low-pressure system intensifies overnight, rain will become more widespread and heavy at times, with totals reaching up to 2-3 inches in some areas. In addition to the rain, strong winds are also expected, with gusts reaching up to 40 miles per hour. This could lead to power outages and downed tree branches, especially in areas with older infrastructure. The storm is expected to linger into Friday morning, with a chance of lingering showers and thunderstorms continuing throughout the day. As the system moves out of the region, temperatures will drop significantly, with highs struggling to reach the mid-50s. Residents are advised to prepare for the storm by stocking up on supplies and having a plan in place in case of power outages. With schools and businesses already gearing up for spring break, the timing of this storm couldn't be worse.#Connecticut #National_Weather_Service #Massachusetts #New_Hampshire #Rhode_Island
Snow-Buried Schools Approach Limits of Their Calendars as Days Out Pile Up As the winter storm season shows no signs of letting up, schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are struggling to keep up with the mounting number of snow days. The unrelenting barrage of snowstorms has pushed many districts to the limit of their annual calendars, forcing administrators to make difficult decisions about when to reopen classrooms. In Worcester, Massachusetts, the public school system has already surpassed its annual average of 10 snow days. With at least a week's worth of classes still remaining this semester, officials are scrambling to come up with contingency plans for making up lost instruction time. "We're doing everything we can to minimize the impact on our students and staff," said Worcester Superintendent Jeffery W. Woody. Similarly, in Rhode Island, the Providence Public School District has seen its share of snow days balloon from an average of 5-6 per year to a staggering 12 just this winter. As a result, district officials are considering extending the school year or implementing alternative learning arrangements for students who may have fallen behind. The prolonged closure of schools is not only a logistical challenge but also a financial one. Massachusetts and Rhode Island both require districts to make up lost instructional time within a certain timeframe, lest they risk losing state funding. In Massachusetts, that deadline is typically June 15th. In Rhode Island, it's September 30th. The cumulative effect of these snow days on students' learning experiences has also raised concerns about equity and access. Students from lower-income families may not have the same resources or support systems at home to help them keep ...#Massachusetts #Rhode_Island #Worcester #Jeffery_W_Woody #Providence_Public_School_District #June_15th #September_30th
