As of February 2 2015, Boston broke its record for the snowiest seven day period. The previous record period, which ended on January 8, 1996, brought 31.2 inches of snow on the city. At 1 p.m. Monday, the National Weather Service (NWS) announced on Twitter that the record had been broken by snowfall totaling 34.2 inches.
As of 1 PM Boston has now set a new record for snowiest 7 day period 34.2 inches. Old record 31.2 in ending 01/08/1996.
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) February 2, 2015
This record amount of snow was caused by a combination of two winter storms, Juno and Kari, that tore through the northeast beginning on Tuesday, January 27. According to the city’s website, Boston generally receives an average of 12.0 inches of snow in January; however, this January’s totals have approached 40.5 inches, according to The Weather Channel.
Winter Storm Juno was predicted to affect Boston and New York City heavily. In preparation, both Massachusetts and New York declared states of emergency before the storm hit. Massachusetts governor, Charlie Baker, declared a state-wide travel ban, which made it illegal for any cars except emergency officials and news media to be on the roads throughout the ban. The mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, made a similar statement, banning all non-essential drivers from the roads before the storm.
Winter Storm Juno had less of an effect on New York than predicted (the city only reported about 10 inches of snow), but it still dumped nearly two feet on many Massachusetts towns. Boston reported 24 inches, while towns like Worcester had closer to 30 inches. This made it the sixth heaviest snowstorm in Boston’s history. The wind was also severe during the storm; peak gusts in Boston were around 45 mph, according to The Weather Channel.
Shortly after Juno passed out of Boston on Wednesday, forecasts of another major storm began to surface. It seemed that Boston was due in for another foot of snow starting on Monday, February 2. This storm, nicknamed Kari, closed down many schools and services in the Boston area. The city reported 16 more inches of snow after the storm was finally finished.
The two storms have challenged not only the departments of public works of many Massachusetts towns, but also their school systems. In Malden, school was cancelled for an entire week, from Tuesday, January 27 through Tuesday, February 3. Schools in Boston and Arlington have also been closed for several days.
Boston and the surrounding areas are still struggling with the effects of Winter Storms Juno and Kari. According to meteorologist Jeremy Reiner, however, the snow might not be over yet. Reiner attributes the large snowfall to a “hyperactive jet-stream” and warns, “Moving forward, I do see our active pattern continuing for another 1-2 weeks so plan on more snow in the coming days weeks. Sorry.”
Below: Scenes from the storms in Malden
