Forecast change: 8 to 10 inches of snow, events cancelled

0

Updated 4:20 pm Saturday, February 15, 2014

In its latest forecast, the National Weather Service significantly increased its prediction for snowfall on Martha’s Vineyard, now forecasting 8 to 10 inches of heavy wet snow. The snow began earlier than originally predicted, about 1:30 pm.

Earlier, the weather service issued a blizzard warning, effective at 7 pm tonight, through 5 am Sunday morning.  Forecasters now predict 10 to 18 inches of snow for much of Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts. Winds from the north will range from 30 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts up to 60 miles per hour, according to the weather service.

The weather has forced some cancellations.

The Steamship Authority cancelled the M/V Island Home’s 8:30 pm departure from Woods Hole.

The town of Tisbury has imposed a parking ban, beginning at 6 pm, effective through 6 am Sunday.

Oak Bluffs officials have closed East Chop Drive between Monroe Avenue and Brewster Avenue. That part of the roadway was already reduced to one way traffic, because of the eroding coastal bluff.

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School production of Cats, scheduled for 7 pm at the Performing Arts Center, is cancelled. An additional 2 pm matinee will be added Monday.

The Shakespeare for the Masses production, scheduled for 7 pm at the Katherine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven, is cancelled.

The YMCA plans to close at 5 pm.

The high school girls hockey contest against North Quincy, scheduled for 1 pm today, was postponed.

The boys basketball matchup with defending state champion Danvers, scheduled for 5:30 pm tonight, is rescheduled to 2 pm Sunday afternoon.

The girls basketball game, scheduled for 7 pm tonight against Sabis International Charter School is rescheduled to next Thursday, February 20, at 3 pm.

The Fairleigh Dickinson Hockey Tournament is scheduled to proceed on schedule, starting at 5 pm Saturday. The visiting teams arrived on the Island for the two-day tournament ahead of the storm.

The Steamship Authority issued a travel advisory, asking travelers to check its website for information on any possible schedule changes because of the weather.

Cape Air also issued an advisory, and asked travelers to check for possible flight delays or cancellations for its New England routes.

Peter Pan Bus Lines is running on a holiday schedule, and has cancelled many routes scheduled for this afternoon and evening.

To report a power outage, call NSTAR at 1-800-592-2000.