Due to expected snowfall of about 4 to 6 inches on Friday, the Town of Wareham sent out a message to let residents know they should expect delays — both with trash pickup and snow removal.

The snow is set to begin overnight, in the early hours of Friday morning. As of Thursday evening, Wareham will be under a winter storm warning from 1 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7 until early afternoon. 

The town indicated snowfall at a rate of about 1-2 inches per hour was set to begin at around 6 a.m. and continue for “the next few hours” with lighter snowfall expected the rest of the day.

“The Friday morning commute *will* be hazardous,” the National Weather Service Boston wrote on Facebook. “Avoid travel if possible.”

Friday’s trash pickup will be delayed until Saturday, according to a message sent out via the town’s RAVE emergency alert system.

Town offices and the Wareham Free Library will be closed on Friday, Jan. 7. Wareham Public Schools will also be closed Friday. 

Additionally, the town’s alert said that a lack of available snowplows would likely cause further delays.

“With less than 50 percent contracted snowplow drivers from previous years and staffing members out due to covid-19 related matters, we expect the duration of the clean up to be longer than usual,” the town wrote in the RAVE alert, which was sent out via email, text and phone calls. “Please be patient.”

In a statement published on the town’s website, officials urged people to avoid travel whenever possible: “To help with plowing efforts we ask that when at all possible please stay off the roads ... Stay safe and thank you for your consideration.”

To see the town’s winter maintenance policy, click here: https://www.wareham.ma.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif5146/f/pages/winter_maintenance_policy_2.pdf