Boston gets hit by nor’easters every winter, and the snowiest winter on record was 2014-15 at 110.6 inches, with 64.8 inches in February 2015 alone. A nor’easter that drops 18 inches in 24 hours can shut roads and strand drivers in their lanes. Quick Tow Boston explains how to prep the car, what to keep in an emergency kit, and what to do when a storm leaves the vehicle disabled.
What Boston winters actually look like
Boston averages around 44 inches of snow a year, and the season runs from November through April. The big storms are nor’easters, which form off the Atlantic and pull cold air down from the north while pulling warm moisture up from the south. The result is heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding all in one storm.
The city has 15 to 20 declared snow emergencies in a typical winter, and the streets listed as snow emergency arteries are no-parking zones during each declaration. Posted vehicles on those arteries are ticketed and towed. The list is published on the city’s website each year, and the arteries change, so the right move is to check the list before each season.
A storm that drops more than a foot of snow can shut down the Mass Pike and I-93 for hours, and a stalled car in a live lane is a setup-and-clear job the operator handles under the State Police direction.
How to prep the car before a nor’easter
Five things make a Boston winter easier on the car and the driver.
Battery. Cold weather is hard on a battery that is already weak. A battery that starts the car in October may not start in January. The right move is a load test at a service shop before the season starts, and a replacement if the battery is more than four years old.
Tires. All-season tires work for most Boston winters, but a set of dedicated snow tires is a real upgrade for the storms that come every February. Check the tire pressure monthly: pressure drops with the temperature, and underinflated tires lose grip on snow and ice.
Wipers and fluid. Wiper blades that streak or skip need to be replaced. Winter washer fluid rated to zero or below is the right choice. Regular fluid freezes in the reservoir and can crack the lines.
Antifreeze. A coolant flush every two years keeps the antifreeze at the right concentration. The right mix protects the engine down to the lowest temperature your area sees, and a coolant check before the season is a five-minute job at any shop.
Emergency kit. A winter emergency kit in the trunk is worth its weight the first time the car stalls in a snowbank. The kit should include a shovel, a bag of sand or kitty litter for traction, a blanket, a flashlight, jumper cables, a phone charger, water, and snacks.
What to do when a storm strands you
A car that stalls in a snowstorm is a dangerous situation. The right moves are:
Stay with the car. A snowstorm has poor visibility, and a person walking on a highway is at risk. The car is shelter, and the operator can find the car faster than the person.
Run the engine sparingly. If the exhaust pipe is clear of snow, run the engine for ten minutes every hour for heat, with the heater on. Crack a window to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
Make the car visible. Tie a bright cloth to the antenna or hang it from a window. Keep the dome light on if the battery can handle it. Use the hazard lights in moderation.
Call for help. Call the dispatch line and describe the location. The operator coordinates with the State Police when the car is on a highway. The State Police set the timing for the recovery, and the operator works under their direction.
Do not spin the wheels. Spinning a stuck car digs it deeper. Put the car in park, set the parking brake, and wait for help.
The snow emergency arteries and what they mean
During a declared snow emergency, parking is banned on both sides of every posted “Tow Zone No Parking During Snow Emergency” artery. Posted vehicles are ticketed and towed.
The list of arteries is published on the city’s website before the season starts, and the list usually includes the main corridors: Blue Hill Avenue, VFW Parkway, the Arborway, and the through-routes that connect the neighborhoods to downtown. A resident who lives on a posted artery has to move the car to a side street before the emergency starts, or the car is at risk of being towed.
The city’s lookup at cityofboston.gov/towing/search shows whether a specific car has been towed, and the city lot at 200 Frontage Road holds the car until the owner retrieves it.
How Quick Tow Boston helps in a storm
Quick Tow Boston connects stranded drivers with independent local operators who run snow-ready equipment. The operator quotes the price before the truck rolls, and the dispatch runs at any hour.
For a car stuck in a snowbank off the Mass Pike, the operator brings a wrecker with a winch, a tree-saver strap, and traction boards. The job is a winch-out, not a tow.
For a car that has been towed during a snow emergency, the plate lookup at cityofboston.gov/towing/search confirms the tow and the city lot at 200 Frontage Road holds the car.
Frequently asked questions
How much snow does Boston get in a typical winter? Boston averages around 44 inches of snow a year. The snowiest winter on record was 2014-15 at 110.6 inches, with 64.8 inches in February 2015 alone.
What is a snow emergency artery? A snow emergency artery is a posted street where parking is banned during a declared snow emergency. Posted vehicles are ticketed and towed. The list of arteries is published on the city’s website.
Where does a snow-emergency tow go? A car towed during a snow emergency in Boston goes to the city lot at 200 Frontage Road. The fee is $90 and storage is $3 per hour up to $15 per day.
Should I stay with my car in a storm? Yes. Stay with the car, run the engine sparingly with a clear exhaust, make the car visible, and call for help. Do not walk on a highway in a storm.
When to call us
Call when the car is stuck or broken down in a storm and needs an operator with the right equipment. Quick Tow Boston connects drivers with independent local operators across Greater Boston, and the operator quotes the price before anyone is dispatched. Calls are recorded after a notice. Reach the dispatch line at (857) 858-5057.