Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today that Springfield City Hall and satellite municipal buildings will be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026 due to the expected snow storm. This closing will apply only to non-emergency City employees. All emergency personnel positions will remain staffed.
Springfield Public Schools also announced that due to the weather forecast, schools will be closed Monday, February 23, 2026. Central Office and Student Assignment Services will also be closed.
Yesterday, the Department of Public Works (DPW) announced a city-wide parking ban will take effect this evening, until further notice. The parking ban regulations are as follows:
- No parking on the even side of the street from 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
- No parking on the odd side of the street from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
FREE PUBLIC PARKING is available at all Springfield Parking Authority lots and garages, including Union Station, until the end of the parking ban. Visit their website for a full list of locations.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Police will be aggressively ticketing and towing vehicles during the storm and after the storm.
Mayor Sarno also received updates from Eversource officials, as well as our local hospitals, who are fully staffed and prepared to address storm related issues.
Mayor Sarno states, “My administration and our dedicated city team are tested and true in dealing with any weather Mother Nature sends our way. As we have done during previous significant natural or manmade disasters and winter events, I have alerted my department heads to have ‘all-hands-on-deck’ for this significant and long deration snow event we are anticipated to get hit with on Sunday and into Monday. I also cannot stress this enough, please help our dedicated plow trucks out and obey the parking ban!”
Snowfall is expected to become heavier tonight and may last until Monday afternoon, sometimes falling at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour.
“DPW will have all available trucks ready, this includes our city trucks and private plows under contract. Please, be patient and comply with the parking ban as roads are already narrow and snow will be coming down quickly. Police are prepared to enforce the parking ban to ticket and tow, if necessary, so that our plow trucks and emergency service vehicles such as Fire and ambulances can safely access streets,” said Mayor Sarno. “The Springfield Parking Authority will have their garages and service level parking lots open for off-street parking for our downtown residents. Springfield Public Schools will be closed Monday and Superintendent Dr. Sonia Dinnall and I will continue to monitor the situation and alert families, students and teachers for any additional delays or cancelations.”
“Additionally, with the cold and heavy snow, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and I want to remind everyone to check in on their neighbors, especially our elderly, to make sure they are ok and safe. Also, this weather is cold for our beloved pets, so make sure they are brought inside and kept warm too. We are urging residents and businesses to be prepared ahead of time to ride out this extreme weather. I thank our residents and businesses for their patience, understanding and cooperation. As we have done before, working together we will get through this weather event.”
Extreme winter weather events can pose a serious public safety risk. It can lead to travel delays and interruptions, roof collapses, communications disruptions, water pipes bursting, and power outages. Winter storms are also associated with storm-related deaths caused by automobile accidents, heart attacks due to overexertion, freezing to death, and carbon monoxide incidents.
Residents are encouraged to take all precautions during these significant winter weather events.
- Follow any public emergency alerts and notices – including parking bans and travel restrictions
- Keep off frozen bodies of water such as lakes or ponds as the ice may not be thick enough to hold your weight
- Keep electrical devices such as cell phones, laptops and medical devices charged
- Notify the electric company of any medical devices that rely upon power
- Keep gutters and roofs clear of heavy snow accumulation to avoid property damage and roof collapse
- Try and keep snow away from your houses foundation to avoid water damage when the snow begins to melt
- Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working with fresh batteries
- Maintain heating equipment and generators if you have them. Do not run generators inside your house or inside the garage, and keep them a safe distance away from your house.
- Clear exhaust vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
- Never use your oven or stove as a heating source
- Minimize outdoor activities and drive only when necessary
- Keep pets safe and indoors
- Dress appropriately for the weather to protect against the elements
- Report any emergencies to 9-1-1
- Stay away from any downed utility wires
- Be a good neighbor and check on family, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly and those who live alone or with medical conditions
- Locate and have a clear access to the main water shut off valve/switch in house in case of water pipes bursting due to extreme cold weather.
The most recent situational awareness report from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), states that a widespread 12-18 inches of snow is expected. Widespread wind gusts of 40-60 MPH are possible.
Because of the significant impact from this nor’easter snow storm that is anticipated to bring up to 12’’ to 18’’ of snow along with extreme wind, Mayor Sarno is declaring a citywide State of Emergency beginning Sunday, February 22nd.
The City’s Cold Weather Task Force has been alerted and will be actively seeking out homeless individuals to make sure they are brought to the appropriate homeless shelter and overflow shelters in advance of the storm.
Residents are encouraged to clear snow away from fire hydrants, and from their roofs and gutters, if possible, and to move snow away from the foundation of their homes to avoid potential flooding hazards.
Residents are encouraged to take it easy with shoveling and to not overexert themselves, especially if they have pre-existing medical or physical conditions.
Residents are also encouraged to plan ahead by reviewing the following:
- Fill up their vehicles and snow blowers with gas
- Check vehicles and make sure they have plenty of gas
- Check flashlights and batteries
- Have shovels readily accessible
- Obey the parking ban. Move all vehicles off the roadway – if possible
- Check and maintain proper heating sources and never use a stove or oven for heat
- Check and test smoke and CO alarms
- Be mindful for the potential of freezing water pipes – know where your main shutoff valve is
- Dress warm with layered clothing and limit time spent outside, if possible.
Mayor Sarno states, “Thank you, again, to all for your patience, cooperation, and understanding. As we have done before with major storms and natural and man-made disasters we will get through this together. Good health and God Bless.”