City of Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. – Due to a forecasted winter weather event starting Feb. 22, 2026 with predicted heavy snowfall amounts of 18 to 31 inches coupled with potential strong winds that may cause blizzard-like conditions with near-zero visibility, the City of Worcester is declaring a Winter Weather Emergency effective 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.

As part of the Winter Weather Emergency, residents are asked to avoid city streets as of 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. Due to the anticipated timeline and predicted heavy impact of the storm, Worcester Public Schools, all Worcester Public Library branches, Worcester City Hall and the Residential Drop-Off Center will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Trash and recycling will also be delayed on Monday, resulting in a one-day delay for the remainder of the week.

A Declared Winter Parking Ban that went into effect on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 will remain in effect until further notice. 

Free parking is available at municipal garages during the Declared Winter Parking Ban except when Special Event rates apply. During special events, vehicles entering a garage will be subject to the Special Event parking rate (rates do not apply to vehicles already parked).

With a number of Special Events taking place this weekend, the following is a detailed summary of where to find free garage parking during the Winter Parking Ban:

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026:

• Union Station Garage – No charge for vehicles entering at any time.
• Worcester Common Garage – No charge for vehicles entering before 5 p.m. or after 9 p.m. Event rates may apply at other times.
• Pearl Elm Garage – No charge for vehicles entering before 4 p.m. or after 10 p.m. Event rates may apply at other times.
• Federal Plaza Garage – No charge for vehicles entering after 9 p.m. Event rates may apply at other times.
• Major Taylor Garage – No charge for vehicles entering before 4:30 p.m. or after 10 p.m. Event rates may apply at other times.

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

• Federal Plaza Garage – No charge for vehicles entering after 7 p.m. Event rates may apply at other times.
• All other municipal garages – Anticipated to operate with no charge for vehicles entering at any time.

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

“The City of Worcester is once again preparing for a major snow event,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “With significant amounts of snow and blizzard-like conditions predicted over a long period of time, I am asking residents to please be patient as DPW workers and private contractors work to clear the streets and I am calling on you to do your part. Please adhere to the parking ban and remain off the streets unless travel is an emergency. With snow still on the ground and the anticipated length of this storm it will take time for crews to make the streets safe for travel.”

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. 

Any downed power lines may be called into 911. Down branches that do not present a risk to people’s safety can be called into 311 or 911 when 311 is not available.

Residents are reminded that they have up to 10 hours from the end of the 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.