With blizzard-like conditions forecast for tomorrow, schools will be closed, as will the Pilgrim Senior Center, Mickey Stevens Sports complex, and Thayer Arena.

The mayor’s office also announced a parking ban until further notice starting at midnight Tuesday and the postponement of sanitation and recycling collections one day for the remainder of the week. Transwick services have been cancelled for the day as well.

“We’re prepared for the worst and hoping for the best,” said David Picozzi, Public Works director. Picozzi said about 100 personnel from his department, including those from parks and recreation and building maintenance, are prepared to take on the storm. In all, 80 pieces of city and private contractor equipment from snowplows to graders and front-end loaders are on the line to clear 400 miles of city streets.

“By Saint Patty’s Day we’re usually out of the woods,” said Picozzi, noting that this storm is sneaking in under that wire. “Thankfully,” he added, “we haven’t started street sweeping the way we did last year.”

According to the National Weather Service winter storm warning posted Monday, heavy snow and strong winds are forecast starting at 5 a.m. today through 3 p.m. Snow accumulations are forecast at 8 to 12 inches becoming heavy at times with 2 to 4 inches per hour of snowfall. Northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph are being forecast. Based on the reports, areas south of Providence could see the snow turn to sleet and rain by this afternoon.

That raises questions as to school on Wednesday.

As Catherine Bonang, secretary to Superintendent Philip Thornton explained, a professional development day was scheduled for Wednesday anyway, meaning public schools will be closed regardless of conditions. However, because the department also provides transportation for private and parochial schools, those schools may be closed.

Bonang said that decision would be based on whether the professional day for teachers is canceled. A decision on the professional day will be made tonight, she said.

“If we cancel, they cancel,” she said.

In preparation, National Grid encouraged following tips for customers to minimize inconvenience and maximize safety in the event that storm-related power interruptions occur:

National Grid customers who experience an outage should call National Grid at 1-800-465-1212 to expedite restoration.

Never touch downed power lines and always assume that any fallen lines are live electricity wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization.

People who depend on electricity-powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should let National Grid know. To register as a life support customer, call the company's New England Customer Service Center at 1-800-322-3223.

Drive carefully and use caution when driving near any repair crews working to restore power.

Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period.