Change in plans for Worcester: No school on Thursday

From baseball to school, the storm that blanketed Central Massachusetts Thursday gave residents a late-season reason to hunker down.

The Worcester Red Sox called off their scheduled game, the second weather postponement of the young season, and Worcester schools were closed for the day. Actually, at daybreak, school officials opted for a two-hour delay. But by 8 a.m., with a mix of snow and slush filling the roadways, there was a change in plans: Schools were closed all day.

A mix of rain, snow and cold temperatures created slick road conditions.

Worcester had 3.2 inches of heavy snow by morning, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures remained in the 30s for much of the day, with winds adding to the chill.

At midafternoon, 3,600 customers in Central Massachusetts were without power.

The National Weather Service listed the following totals Thursday morning: Ashburnham 6.3 inches, Hubbardston 4.5, Fitchburg and Lunenburg 4, Worcester 3.2, Holden and Leominster 3, Boylston 1.9 and Shrewsbury 1.5.

While Worcester and a handful of schools were closed, mostly in northern Worcester County, many had delayed openings.

In Spencer, more than 3,000 customers were without power at 6 a.m., according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

School Full list of delays and cancellations

Outage map Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

In Charlton, a section of Route 20, near 80 Sturbridge Road, was closed Thursday morning due to downed trees. In Southborough, Route 30 was closed in both directions because of a fallen tree and downed wires.

The speed limit on the Masachusetts Turnpike west of Hopkinton was reduced to 40 mph for several hours.

April snowfall not that unusual in Worcester

While some may have put away their shovels for the season prior to this week, April snowfall is not at all uncommon in Worcester.

According to National Weather Service meteorologist Bryce Williams, there was at least some April snow in Worcester in eight of the last 10 years including this year. The most recent measurable April snowfall was 6.8 inches April 16, 2021.

The latest recorded snowfall in Worcester came May 9 and 10 of 1977, in a storm that left more than 12 inches.

A winter weather advisory remained in effect for Worcester through 2 a.m. Friday. It is expected to stay chilly Friday and Saturday, with a chance of rain both days, before conditions start to dry out Sunday.

The early part of next week looks nicer, with sunny skies and highs in the 50s, which is more typical for April in Worcester.

More Shovels and ice melt replace perennials, as local businesses prepare for snow

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Storm of Thursday