Bread was flying off the shelves, salt was being loaded into trucks and utility workers were nervously watching forecasts Thursday as a huge winter storm that could bring catastrophic damage, widespread power outages and bitterly cold weather was barreling toward the eastern two-thirds of the U.

Boston has declared a cold emergency as arctic temperatures are set to arrive on Friday.

Arctic air moves in Friday, follow by a nor'easter Sunday into Monday that could dump 6 to 12 inches of snow on Boston and the region.

Segun Idowu, Boston’s chief of economic opportunity and inclusion, is resigning effective Feb. 27, according to a statement provided to GBH News by the city Monday. Mayor Michelle Wu, who hired Idowu early in her first term, offered glowing praise for Idowu’s service in the statement.

The après-work destination will feature a curated selection of beers.

The priorities of the luxury home buyer have moved towards "jewel box" homes with proximity to town and private pools.

Snow on the ground is likely to stick around with cold temperatures next week. But don’t fret about power outages, says GBH meteorologist Dave Epstein.

Good luck to all the grocery store workers over the next few days. The biggest snow storm in years could rock the region this weekend, as the National Weather Service’s Boston office has issued a “Winter Storm Watch” from Sunday morning through Monday evening.