UPDATE: In repsonse to requests from health care institutions in the area, the MBTA will keep its services open until 8 a.m. tomorrow. After then, though, the planned closures will be in effect.

In case you were planning on venturing out of Harvard Square, think again. The MBTA announced that it will suspend all of its services tomorrow in anticipation of Hurricane Irene's arrival in the Boston area.

"With severe winds, heavy rain, and flooding forecast for metropolitan Boston, this decision has been made with the safety of customers and employees being the MBTA's top priority at all times," MBTA said in a press release.

According to the press release, the suspension of services will allow staff to focus on ensuring normal transit on Monday. The MBTA will also keep buses nearby to assist in any evacuations over the weekend.

For all of our Hurricane Irene coverage, check out this page throughout the weekend.