Extreme Weather Travel Guide

intersection in Davis Square with MBTA in heavy rain

Regardless of the season, it’s our top priority to ensure your safety when you ride the T. When extreme weather does hit, take a look at the guides below to help you stay safe and informed.

Stay Informed

Our website

See all service alerts or get alerts delivered via phone or email

Social media

@MBTA and @MBTA_CR

@TheMBTA

@thembta

/mbtagm

Customer Support

Email us from our website

Call us at 617-222-3200

What to Expect During Severe Rain and Wind

large puddle in Davis Square with rain and MBTA bus in background

Flooding, heavy winds, and lightning are the main causes for delays and disruptions to MBTA service during major storms.

On rare occasions, the governor may issue a state of emergency or travel ban, which can impact the level of MBTA service available. If this happens, we will update our website and X (Formerly Twitter) with related service changes.

Impacts to Service

Subway and Commuter Rail

Flooding and downed tree limbs or wires can impact train service during storms.

We may need to run trains at reduced schedules or slower speeds. This is safer for everyone and prevents damage to trains and equipment.
On rare occasions, tunnels or stations may flood, and service may be suspended or replaced with shuttle buses.
When storms approach, we take proactive measures at flood-prone areas like Aquarium and Fenway stations.

All delays and schedule changes are detailed in system alerts, available on our website, on Twitter, and via text or email.

See all subway alerts

Flooding and downed tree limbs or wires can impact train service during storms.

We may need to run trains at reduced schedules or slower speeds. This is safer for everyone and prevents damage to trains and equipment.
On rare occasions, tunnels or stations may flood, and service may be suspended or replaced with shuttle buses.
When storms approach, we take proactive measures at flood-prone areas like Aquarium and Fenway stations.

All delays and schedule changes are detailed in system alerts, available on our website, on Twitter, and via text or email.

See all subway alerts

Bus

We may adjust bus service or routes due to flooding. For the safety of customers and staff, buses may operate at reduced speeds.

Stay informed with system alerts, available on our website, on Twitter, and via text or email.

See all bus alerts

We may adjust bus service or routes due to flooding. For the safety of customers and staff, buses may operate at reduced speeds.

Stay informed with system alerts, available on our website, on Twitter, and via text or email.

See all bus alerts

Ferry

Ferry service may be suspended or delayed in the event of an extreme storm.

If you usually take the ferry to downtown Boston, try one of these alternate routes:

Hingham: Red Line to 220 bus or the Greenbush Line
Hull: Red Line to 220 bus to 714 bus
Logan Airport: Blue Line, SL1, or SL3
Charlestown: 93 bus

Ferry service may be suspended or delayed in the event of an extreme storm.

If you usually take the ferry to downtown Boston, try one of these alternate routes:

The RIDE

Extreme storms may impact road conditions, and drivers may not be able to access some locations due to flooding or debris.

Before and during storms, you can call The RIDE Access Center (TRAC) for information about delays or cancelations for any trips you have scheduled.

Contact The RIDE Access Center

Extreme storms may impact road conditions, and drivers may not be able to access some locations due to flooding or debris.

Before and during storms, you can call The RIDE Access Center (TRAC) for information about delays or cancelations for any trips you have scheduled.

Contact The RIDE Access Center

We’re working to minimize service disruptions due to rising sea levels and stronger, more frequent major storms by identifying vulnerabilities and updating at-risk infrastructure.

Learn more about our climate change efforts

What to Expect During Extreme Heat

Pedestrians cross the newly repainted crosswalk at Coolidge Corner (August 2019)

On summer’s hottest days, we may operate trains at reduced speeds in some areas to compensate for heat-related stress on the tracks, which could result in slightly longer travel times.

We’ll also have crews stationed around the system to provide assistance.

Learn more about keeping cool in the heat

Impacts to service

In addition to operating trains at reduced speeds if necessary, crews perform track inspections and make emergency repairs as needed.
Air conditioning on vehicles is checked often and repaired as needed. On buses, riders can help keep things cool by closing open windows.
Overhead wires that power some of our vehicles can expand and sag during extremely hot weather, so we make adjustments to prevent low-hanging wires.

In addition to operating trains at reduced speeds if necessary, crews perform track inspections and make emergency repairs as needed.
Air conditioning on vehicles is checked often and repaired as needed. On buses, riders can help keep things cool by closing open windows.
Overhead wires that power some of our vehicles can expand and sag during extremely hot weather, so we make adjustments to prevent low-hanging wires.

Report a hot vehicle

If you’re on a bus or train that’s hot, please let us know:

Tell your operator
Let a station official know
Tweet us @MBTA
Contact Customer Support at 617-222-3200 or online

Be sure to include your bus or train number.

If you’re on a bus or train that’s hot, please let us know:

Tell your operator
Let a station official know
Tweet us @MBTA
Contact Customer Support at 617-222-3200 or online

Be sure to include your bus or train number.

What to Expect During Slippery Rail Conditions

A Commuter Rail train stopped at the Providence-bound platform.

As leaves fall onto Commuter Rail tracks in October and November, they collect debris, pick up moisture, and then are crushed by train wheels. This creates a condition called slippery rail, or a slick film of leaves on the tracks.

For safety on slippery rails, trains need to begin braking sooner and take more time to pick up speed. This can cause delays.

Slippery rail conditions reach their peak between Halloween and early November. To stay safe, riders should use extra caution while on our platforms and boarding trains.

How we prepare for slippery rail conditions

Throughout October and November:

We deploy specially designed MBTA "wash trains" with rail pressure washers to clean northbound and southbound tracks along wooded routes
Engineers scrub tracks with a gel and sand solution to improve train traction
Mechanics inspect and repair train wheels more often

Throughout October and November:

We deploy specially designed MBTA "wash trains" with rail pressure washers to clean northbound and southbound tracks along wooded routes
Engineers scrub tracks with a gel and sand solution to improve train traction
Mechanics inspect and repair train wheels more often

Get Commuter Rail alerts

All schedule changes are detailed in system alerts, available on our website, on Twitter, and via text or email.

See all Commuter Rail service alerts

All schedule changes are detailed in system alerts, available on our website, on Twitter, and via text or email.

See all Commuter Rail service alerts

Sign Up for Service Alerts

On the platform in Park Street Station, a woman holds her smartphone with a Green Line train in the background.

Get service alerts via text or email.

Plan a trip

When there are service changes, the Trip Planner will show related disruptions.

Sign Up for Service Alerts

Get service alerts via text or email.

Plan a trip

When there are service changes, the Trip Planner will show related disruptions.

Most popular fares

Information & Support

Emergency Contacts

Report a Railroad Crossing Gate Issue

Stay Informed

What to Expect During Severe Rain and Wind

Impacts to Service

What to Expect During Extreme Heat

What to Expect During Slippery Rail Conditions

Sign Up for Service Alerts

Plan a trip

Sign Up for Service Alerts

Plan a trip

Information & Support

Emergency Contacts

Report a Railroad Crossing Gate Issue