As the biggest snow storm in years barrels down on New England, public officials warned residents Sunday to stay off the roads, watch out for neighbors and keep safe over the next couple of days.

“Please get off the road,” said Gov. Maura Healey at a press briefing in the Framingham MEMA bunker shortly after the storm swept in Sunday. “This is not a storm to be out in, okay? So just do what you can, hunker in, look after your neighbors, take care of one another, and ride this one out. We also expect, as I say, this storm to be of long duration. It’s going to continue through the night.”

Snow was already starting to fall at a rate of one to three inches per hour in eastern Massachusetts as state officials updated residents on safety precautions and emergency preparedness Sunday and only built up as the afternoon set in.

By around 3:30 p.m., reports of six to 10 inches of snowfall across southern New England were coming in, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Francis Tarasiewicz.

The worst of the snowfall in the Boston region was forecast to come in between the afternoon and around 1 a.m., Tarasiewicz said, with rates of two and three inches per hour at times. The snowfall was expected to taper off around 3 a.m., before returning Monday afternoon for two to four more inches of snow.

In total, NWS forecasted up to around 24 inches in the northeastern Massachusetts and Boston area, the meteorologist said.

State officials repeatedly urged residents to stay off the roads Sunday and Monday, keeping the streets clear for plows and emergencies.

“This is a multi day storm, as you’ve been hearing,” said State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “And with the kind of snow that we’re getting, and the heavy winds, the drifting conditions are expected to be really become very, very difficult on the roadways, especially overnight (Sunday night) and into (Monday). until everything is fully cleaned up.”

The state deployed 2,500 pieces of snow clearing equipment out onto the roads as of Sunday, MassDOT said, with the number expected to go up to 3,000.

On I-90, the Mass Pike, speed limits were reduced to 40 miles per hour Sunday, and the state issued a level-three truck ban, including tractor trailers, RVs, box trucks and tandems.

Officials urged residents “do not travel unless you absolutely have to, and if you do, consider taking mass transportation.”

The MBTA implemented a cold weather action plan, said General Manager Phil Eng, storing buses and trains indoors overnight, running trains to keep tracks clear of snow, having emergency crews on standby and more.

Eng reminded the public the Blue Line from Bowdoin to Orient Heights is out of service and being replaced by the bus and ferry, the Mattapan line was scheduled to switch from trolley to busses due to the snowfall, and ferry and commuter rail service would be reduced.

“We are reminding any riders that use the system, use caution,” said Eng. “When you’re walking on stairs, hold handrails. Do not run. Give yourself extra time. It may be slippery out there. You can report anything to us at MBTA.com/winter, but also stay informed on the website.”

The “good news,” Healey said, was the state does not expect widespread power outages.

“This is a dry, fluffy snow, not the wet kind that weighs down lines, but we want to make sure that we’re prepared,” said Healey. … “I’ve talked to all the utilities, and they’ve already got teams out there deployed in on the ground. Our biggest concern for outages is on the south coast and Cape and islands, and we’re just encouraging people to if you do experience a power outage and you need help, dial 211, because we can get you to a warming shelter if you need that in the event you lose power.”

Related Articles

Boston Weather: Snow to stick around as temperatures remain well below freezing

Officials urge residents to stay inside, off roads as major winter storm approaches

Greater Boston warned to brace for 2 feet of snow, at least a foot elsewhere in Massachusetts

Boston declares cold emergency, resources offered to residents in need

To clear ice and snow, there are rock salt alternatives that are safer for your pets and yard

MEMA director Dawn Brantley urged residents to make safety preparations at home, including charging cell phones and essential electronic devices, having extra batteries on hand for medical equipment and other devices, checking appliance exhaust fans to make sure their not covered by snow, and not overexerting oneself when shoveling after the snow.

“This will be our most significant snowstorm in several years, but the state is well prepared and well positioned to respond to any needs that arise,” said Brantley. “The best place you can be today is at home, cheering on the Patriots.”

Gov. Maura Healey speaks about the snow storm during a press conference at the State Emergency Operation Center. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
A column of workers clears the walkway near the Woodland T station in Newton. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Kenmore Square was quiet during Sunday’s snow. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
A worker clears the sidewalk at Boylston and Arlington Streets during the storm. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)