Haverhill Mayor Jim Fiorentini has declared a snow emergency for the city, effective at midnight tonight, due to the snow storm that's expected to hit the area overnight.
Because of the storm, trash and recycling pickup has been delayed one day, and the Citizens Center will be open for those residents in need of shelter.
According to the National Weather Service in Taunton, Haverhill is under a winter storm warning until 7 p.m. Wednesday, meaning the area can expect the storm to produce 6 or more inches in a 12-hour period or 8 or more inches in a 24-hour period.
"Haverhill should see at least a foot," said Haverhill resident Matt Noyes, meteorologist for New England Cable News network, who added that blowing and drifting snow are likely. "Blizzard conditions possible (during the) first half of Wednesday with wind gusts exceeding 35 mph."
Blizzard conditions, according to Noyes, means quarter-mile visibility in snow or blowing snow, with frequent wind gusts up to 35 mph or greater for more than three hours.
The National Weather Service is predicting that the heaviest snowfall will begin in Haverhill at 4 a.m. Wednesday.
The Gazette will have continuing coverage throughout the day and night at hgazette.com and Twitter, at twitter.com/hgazette.
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