By Associated Press - Tuesday, January 21, 2014

BOSTON (AP) - Heavy snow was forecast and a blizzard warning was posted for portions of Massachusetts on Tuesday, prompting Gov. Deval Patrick to dismiss nonemergency state workers early and postpone his annual State of the State address.

The storm, which could dump 8-14 inches of snow on southeastern parts of the state, was bearing down “stronger and faster” than initial predictions indicated, Patrick told reporters at an afternoon briefing.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for Cape Cod and the islands, and coastal sections of Plymouth County. Forecasters said snow could fall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour during the height of the storm, with sustained winds of 20-30 mph and gusts of up to 50 mph.

Much of the rest of the state was under a winter storm warning until early Wednesday afternoon, with accumulations of 4-8 inches expected.

Given the potentially dangerous driving conditions expected to develop in the evening hours, and his decision to send nonemergency state workers home early, Patrick said it did not make sense to have guests try to make it to the Statehouse on Tuesday night for his scheduled address.

“I’m worried about folks being on the road,” he said. “People may have been able to get here, but then not safely get home.”

The annual speech - his last at governor - would be rescheduled, possibly for later in the week, Patrick said.

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh ordered a snow emergency and parking ban to go into effect at 6 p.m. Tuesday, and city schools were closed for Wednesday.

The Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Logan Airport, said many airlines canceled flights in advance of the story and further delays were likely.

Most domestic airlines planned to have limited operations out of the airport after 8 p.m. Tuesday and through Wednesday morning, Massport said in a statement. International flights might fare better, but passengers were encouraged to check with their airlines.

State officials said snow removal crews would work to keep major highways passable during the storm, but warned that the blizzard-like conditions could make travel treacherous, especially in southeastern Massachusetts.

“Fourteen inches over a few hours … especially when the wind is blinding, that’s a problem for everyone,” said Richard Davey, the state’s transportation secretary.

One relief, he said, was that the storm was not expected to produce any serious ocean flooding in Massachusetts.

The weather service said there was potential for minor coastal flooding and beach erosion on a spotty basis.

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