City of Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. – Due to frigid temperatures, the City of Worcester is activating a warming center for Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, and Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at the Worcester Senior Center. The Senior Center will be open both days 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A Declared Winter Parking Ban for the City of Worcester will go into effect at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.

All municipal parking garages will be free of charge to any vehicle that enters after 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, until the Declared Winter Parking Ban is lifted. In the case of parking for a special event, event rates apply.

All updates will be shared via social media and worcesterma.gov as it becomes available while ALERTWorcester remains down.

Residents are asked to use one of the municipal garages listed below:

Major Taylor Garage – 30 Major Taylor Blvd.
Federal Plaza Garage – 570 Main St.
Pearl & Elm Garage – 20 Pearl St.
Worcester Common Garage – 3 Eaton Place
Union Station Garage – 225 Franklin St.

Sand pick-up and recycling drop-off will be available at 1065 Millbury St. Additionally, sand pick-up will be available at 22 Albany St. and 299 Clark St. prior to and following plowing operations. 

“With several inches of snowfall in the forecast, we want to assure residents that crews will be pre-treating roads and clearing the snow while still dealing with the aftermath of the recent storm that dumped more than 20 inches on the city,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “We ask that residents not shovel snow back into the street after plows have come through as this jeopardizes operations and stretches our resources. Residents are reminded that the parking ban is in place for the safe passage of trucks and equipment through the city’s side streets. If residents are experiencing any issues, please utilize Worcester 311 to submit your concerns. As a city, we will achieve the best results when working together and respecting the ordinances and procedures in place. Be safe and go Patriots!”

During the Declared Winter Parking Ban, parking is prohibited on either side of main arteries, emergency and bus routes, and streets in the downtown area critical to the flow of traffic. On all other streets, parking is only permitted on the odd numbered side of the street, unless otherwise posted. Residents can search their streets online at worcesterma.gov/streets/winter-weather/winter-parking.

Towing and ticketing may be enforced to keep streets clear. For questions, residents should contact Worcester 311 by dialing 3-1-1, emailing 311@worcesterma.gov, or visiting worcesterma.gov/311. Residents can submit requests through the 311 app and email 24/7. Residents looking to locate a vehicle that has been towed are advised to contact Worcester 311.

For more details about Worcester’s Winter Parking Bans and affected streets, please visit worcesterma.gov/streets/winter-weather/winter-parking. 

During the storm, residents should limit their travel and exercise extreme caution when traveling. Motorists should leave additional time for transit and stay clear of plows and other vehicles treating the roads. Residents are reminded that they have up to 10 hours from the end of a winter storm to clear the sidewalks abutting their property of any snow and ice. Residents who are able are also asked to clear snow around fire hydrants and catch basins in their neighborhoods. Snow should not be put in the street.

For additional details about City snow removal policies and enforcement, as well as resources for requesting assistance, filing a complaint, and winter sand locations, please visit worcesterma.gov/streets/winter-weather/snow-removal. For winter weather safety/preparation tips, visit ready.gov/winter-weather.

City officials urge all residents to take precautions to stay safe during the extreme cold and recommend the following tips:

• Avoid outdoor exposure for extended periods and cover exposed skin. Dress in layers and stay dry.
• Watch for frostbite, which can develop in under a minute
• Heat your home safely. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for heating your house with a space heater. Keep three feet of space around the space heater and use a dedicated outlet.
• Open cabinet doors that enclose any indoor pipes to allow warm air to circulate and prevent freezing. Additional tips to prevent frozen pipes can be found at worcesterma.gov/water-sewer.
• Keep pets indoors and check paws for signs of injury/damage
• Dry your clothes at a lower temperature when drying heavy loads to guard against accidental fires.
• Check on neighbors and elders often
• Keep an emergency supply kit in your car

More information is available by contacting Worcester 311, (dial 3-1-1, email 311@worcesterma.gov, or submit an online request at worcesterma.gov/311).

More cold weather safety/preparation tips are available at cdc.gov/winter-weather/about/index.html.

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