A major nor’easter is moving into New England, delivering strong winds and rain that are already affecting daily life across the Boston region. Meteorologist Matthew Belk of the National Weather Service in Norton warned that gusts could reach 60‑65 mph on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, with slightly lower but still hazardous winds of 50‑55 mph around Boston and 35‑40 mph farther inland.
Travel disruptions
Airlines have cancelled more than 200 flights to and from Boston Logan, as well as regional airports on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, for Friday and Saturday. Some carriers are offering to waive change or cancellation fees for affected East Coast travelers.
Public ferry service connecting Cape Cod with the islands has also been suspended due to high winds and choppy water. Ferries to Block Island in Rhode Island are similarly cancelled, with the disruptions expected to continue into Saturday.
Sean Driscoll, spokesperson for the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority, said cancellations are “a nuisance, but we know what to do with this kind of stuff at this point.” He noted that regular island commuters typically have backup plans for such weather events.
Sports and entertainment impacts
The Boston Red Sox have adjusted their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs. The Sunday afternoon game was moved to Friday, creating a split doubleheader, and the final regular‑season game—originally scheduled for Saturday—will now be played Sunday afternoon at the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium.
Ed Sheeran’s high‑profile concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough were cancelled for both Friday and Saturday, adding to the list of entertainment events affected by the storm.
Local families prepare
Ashley Destino, a mother of two from Gloucester, described taking her children to the beach on Friday afternoon before securing her boat and setting up a generator in case of power loss. “We knew we were going to be inside all weekend,” she said, noting that she has prepared Legos and arts‑and‑crafts activities for her 7‑year‑old and 4‑year‑old.
Weather outlook
Forecasters expect the storm to persist through the weekend, with the potential for downed trees, power outages and localized flooding, especially in coastal areas where leaves still cling to branches, increasing wind resistance. In southeastern Connecticut, gusts could approach 60 mph, posing similar risks of downed limbs and power lines.
Residents are advised to stay informed of local updates, secure outdoor items, and avoid non‑essential travel until conditions improve.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
