The Great February Dump: Which Massachusetts Towns Were Buried Under Over a Foot of Snow?

Ah, Massachusetts in winter. You know, we’re a hardy bunch, accustomed to our fair share of snow. We prepare, we grumble, we embrace it. But then, every so often, a storm comes along that just… changes things. It’s not just a dusting, it’s not even a typical Nor’easter. It’s a genuine event. And that’s exactly what unfolded in February of 2026, leaving a lasting impression and, for many, a serious workout for the snowblower.

When the flakes finally stopped flying after what felt like an eternity, folks across the Commonwealth began to assess the damage – or, perhaps more accurately, the sheer volume. While many areas saw respectable snowfall, a distinct group of cities and towns found themselves in the exclusive 'over a foot' club. These are the places where schools closed for days, where plows worked around the clock, and where the silence of a snow-covered landscape took on an almost monumental quality.

It was a truly widespread event, but the heaviest bands certainly favored certain corridors. Communities in Central Massachusetts, for instance, really bore the brunt of it. Imagine waking up to find your car almost completely swallowed, or the drifts against your house towering above your head. It’s safe to say many residents experienced just that. Towns like Worcester, often a magnet for big snow, reported a staggering 18 inches, with nearby Shrewsbury not far behind at 15 inches. Leominster and Sterling also saw impressive totals, clocking in around 16 and 15.5 inches respectively, turning everyday commutes into Herculean efforts.

But the snow wasn't exclusive to the center of the state. Many suburban areas west of Boston also found themselves buried deep. Westborough saw a formidable 14 inches, and even closer to the metro area, Framingham received a solid 13 inches, with Natick and Ashland just barely cresting the foot mark at 12.5 and 12.8 inches. Each of these totals, while perhaps varying by an inch or two, translated into massive disruption and a whole lot of shoveling for local residents and municipal crews alike.

And let's not forget the Merrimack Valley region, which also got a significant share of the action. Andover, for example, reported 13.2 inches, turning its historic streets into a winter wonderland – albeit one that required significant effort to navigate. North Reading also crossed the threshold with 12.7 inches, reminding everyone that winter in New England truly means business. This storm, in essence, was a potent reminder of nature’s raw power and our collective resilience when faced with a truly epic snowfall. It certainly gave us all something to talk about, and more importantly, something to dig out from under!