Buckle up for the latest weather drama as an intense snowstorm hits Northeast. Stay informed and prepared as winter takes center stage in the region.
This weekend, a formidable winter storm swept through the northeastern United States, turning the region into a snowy spectacle. Heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and gusty winds created challenging travel conditions, prompting officials to urge caution.
Approximately 20 million people, spanning from the northeastern U.S. to northern New Mexico and California, found themselves under winter storm warnings. Prior to the storm’s arrival, residents hurriedly stocked up on snow removal supplies, while authorities discouraged unnecessary travel.
For days, Northeastern officials and forecasters had been warning of hazardous conditions, anticipating a mix of heavy snow and freezing rain. The actual distribution of snow and rain varied across the Northeast, with parts of Northeastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey reporting at least three inches of snow by Saturday night.
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, N.J., projected snowfall rates of up to one inch per hour, reaching two inches per hour in the Lehigh Valley and southern Poconos in Pennsylvania and Northern New Jersey.
As of 7 p.m. on Saturday, Central Park and La Guardia Airport in New York had received 0.2 inches of snow, and Kennedy Airport had received 0.1 inches. Notably, Central Park had not experienced a one-inch snowfall in a single day for almost 700 days.
New Jersey took precautions by restricting commercial vehicle travel on several highways from Saturday afternoon. Governor Phil Murphy urged residents to stay home, especially overnight on Saturday when the heaviest precipitation was expected. In Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont deployed “hundreds of plows” to clear roads.
Rhode Island, expecting less snowfall, monitored the storm’s impact on power and fuel supplies. Unitil, a gas and electricity company based in Hampton, N.H., advised customers to fill up their tanks and stock three days’ worth of essentials.
Looking ahead, the next storm system is anticipated to be stronger and warmer, affecting a broader area. It is expected to intensify into a dynamic storm over the Great Plains, impacting the East Coast in the early to middle parts of the week. Excessive rainfall from Texas to the Northeast may wash away the snow, increasing the risk of floods.
Forecasters also predicted significant river flooding on Tuesday across parts of Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Maryland due to excessive rainfall. Onshore winds may lead to coastal flooding along much of the East Coast.
As the winter weather unfolds, residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions for a winter wonderland that could potentially pose some woes.
