New (10:20 a.m.) — Morrissey Boulevard will close to traffic at 10:30 a.m. Thursday due to tidal flooding conditions. State officials say it will re-open later today after the tide goes down.

The city of Boston will be under a snow emergency order beginning at noon on Thursday as a major winter storm moves into the region. There is no school in Boston on Thursday or Friday as officials prepare for the storm which could bring as much as 14 inches of snow to the city with heaviest snow fall beginning Thursday evening and continuing throughout the night. Blizzard-like conditions are expected Friday morning.

“What a New Year’s gift, to receive one last snowstorm as Mayor,” Mayor Tom Menino said in a statement released on Wednesday evening. "I’m asking the public to stay off the roads throughout the duration of the storm and allow our crews to work.”

Once the emergency order kicks in,parking is prohibited on all major arteries in Boston. These streets are posted with “Tow Zone No Parking During Snow Emergency” signs. A listing of major arteries and alternate
parking can be found here.