Weekend Nor'easter Will Pound Bay State

New Englanders were bracing last night for a major nor'easter that is predicted to hammer the coast with high seas and strong winds, while dumping a dangerous mix of ice and snow inland through tomorrow.

Late last night, area meteorologists were still refining their forecasts for the Boston area. Minor shifts in the track of a strong low pressure system will decide whether the region receives a heavy dose of snow, as was predicted earlier, or of mostly freezing rain and sleet.

"The total accumulation in Cambridge [over the weekend] could be about five to nine inches," said Greg T. Newhall of Channel 5 Weather. "There will be school cancellations somewhere tomorrow."

Somewhere, but not at Harvard. University officials said that not even a dire storm will alter the final exam schedule.

"We expect exams to be held," said Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III. "There aren't any provisions [for a storm]."

A winter storm warning was in effect last night. The National Weather Service predicted that the heaviest precipitation would fall after midnight. Any freezing rain and sleet is expected to turn back to snow late today, with light snow lingering into tomorrow morning.

Boston will be covered by "about two to five inches by morning," Newhall said last night. In Cambridge, students can expect "about three to four inches overnight, mixed with sleet by morning," he said.

Around Cambridge yesterday, residents prepared for the storm by stocking up on essential goods.

"It's really crowded right now," said Jamie L. Dirusso of Star Market in Porter Square. "We have big lines. People are coming today who might have come tomorrow."

"We did have a rush--milk, definitely, and canned stuff," said Pei Sun of Broadway Market. "Usually people buy a lot of canned goods."

City officials were preparing for the storm as well, with the possibility of an icy morning rush hour in sight.

"Every salter's loaded and ready," said dispatcher Paul A. Gassidy of the Cambridge Department of Public Works. "They're all...on the main roads. As soon as it starts, they'll be working."

While individual professors often cancel classes during storms, the University has only closed once in 60 years due to weather, after a blizzard in February of 1978. That shutdown occurred only after then-gov. Michael S. Dukakis ordered the emergency closure of all schools.

If the weather system develops as expected, it would mark the second major winter event to hit the area this season. In late December, the northwest reaches of Middlesex County were blanketed by almost two feet of snow.Crimson Staff Writer Melissa K. Crocker contributed to the reporting of this story.

A winter storm warning was in effect last night. The National Weather Service predicted that the heaviest precipitation would fall after midnight. Any freezing rain and sleet is expected to turn back to snow late today, with light snow lingering into tomorrow morning.

Boston will be covered by "about two to five inches by morning," Newhall said last night. In Cambridge, students can expect "about three to four inches overnight, mixed with sleet by morning," he said.

Around Cambridge yesterday, residents prepared for the storm by stocking up on essential goods.

"It's really crowded right now," said Jamie L. Dirusso of Star Market in Porter Square. "We have big lines. People are coming today who might have come tomorrow."

"We did have a rush--milk, definitely, and canned stuff," said Pei Sun of Broadway Market. "Usually people buy a lot of canned goods."

City officials were preparing for the storm as well, with the possibility of an icy morning rush hour in sight.

"Every salter's loaded and ready," said dispatcher Paul A. Gassidy of the Cambridge Department of Public Works. "They're all...on the main roads. As soon as it starts, they'll be working."

While individual professors often cancel classes during storms, the University has only closed once in 60 years due to weather, after a blizzard in February of 1978. That shutdown occurred only after then-gov. Michael S. Dukakis ordered the emergency closure of all schools.

If the weather system develops as expected, it would mark the second major winter event to hit the area this season. In late December, the northwest reaches of Middlesex County were blanketed by almost two feet of snow.Crimson Staff Writer Melissa K. Crocker contributed to the reporting of this story.