Amherst Storm Center: Snow Starting to Pile Up

Schools Closed

• 1:50 p.m.: The New Hampshire Department of Transportation just issued a statement reminding motorists to slow down and limit travel for the duration of the current storm. Because of the extremely cold temperatures, anti-icing chemicals have limited effectiveness and road conditions may be worse than they appear, according to NHDOT Director of Operations Bill Janelle. Advisory speed limits have been reduced to 45 mph on all interstates and turnpikes. For additional winter driving tips, click here.
• 12:18 p.m.: Gov. Maggie Hassan issued the following statement related to the storm. 
• 11:34 a.m.: The Greater Nashua YMCA, Merrimack Branch announced that "Due to inclement weather, classes will be cancelled all day (January 2). School's Out is available all day from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Kids Stop is closed all day."
• 9:54 a.m.: Via WBUR Twitter: Flights in/out of @BostonLogan expected to end tonight at 8:30 p.m. due to snow and resume sometime tomorrow. #bosnow
• 9:52 a.m.: On Twitter, @GovernorHassan posted the following message to New Hampshire residents: "Heavy snow will continue throughout the day & night, encouraging Granite Staters to exercise caution on the roads and drive safely."
• 9:30 a.m.: The Amherst town offices are open for regular business hours until 4:30 p.m.

The first storm of 2014 is underway as the initial flakes began falling after midnight on Thursday. During the day on Thursday there will be some accumulation, though much of the snow will come Thursday night into Friday before the storm ends by Friday afternoon.

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Below is what you need to know about this week's significant winter storm. We will be updating this storm center article throughout the storm, so be sure to check back throughout.

Current Forecast

How much snow is the Merrimack area expected to get Thursday and Friday? Here are the projections as of Thursday at 8 a.m. Already the National Weather Service has declared a Winter Storm Warning.

• In case of an emergency, dial 911
  
• Amherst Police Department: 603-673-4900
• Amherst Fire Department: 603-673-1545
• Public Service of New Hampshire Power Outages: 1-800-662-7764
• Comcast: 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278)
• Verizon: 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966)