A high impact, blockbuster nor’easter is about to crush parts of the Northeast with blizzard conditions, heavy snow and strong winds.
Northeast Braces for Major Winter Storm
The forecast has been fraught with uncertainty for days, but has finally honed in on a major storm from the Mid-Atlantic to Modern England, including New York City, Boston and other massive cities.
The storm will rapidly intensify into a bomb cyclone off the Eastern Seaboard beginning on Sunday, meaning the worst conditions are just a day away.
Millions of people are now under blizzard warnings, extending from the coasts of Delaware and New Jersey through New York City and into parts of coastal southern New England. A foot or more of snow could accumulate from near or east of Philadelphia to New York City and Boston, with several inches also expected farther south in the Mid-Atlantic, including Baltimore.
Major travel disruptions are expected. Snow will arrive in the Northeast during the day on Sunday, but conditions will worsen Sunday night into Monday, making travel dangerous or impossible, including for Monday commutes. Major disruptions are likely at major airports in New York City, Philadelphia and Boston.
The storm is expected to have major to locally extreme impacts from parts of the DelMarVa Peninsula into eastern Pennsylvania, much of New Jersey, the New York Tri-state area and southern New England. In other words travel will be dangerous or impossible and widespread closures are expected.
While there are still some differences in the forecast, the storm is expected to pack a punch. The heaviest snow – potentially a foot or more – is most likely near and east or southeast of Interstate 95 from around Philadelphia to New York City and Boston.
This would be the first foot-plus snowstorm at New York City’s Central Park in just over five years. A major winter storm about a month ago came close, dropping 11.4 inches.
The snow will be heavy and wet, and combined with winds gusting over 40 mph – and up to 55 mph along the immediate coast – could snap tree branches and cause scattered power outages. Powerful winds will also push ocean water onshore, potentially causing moderate to locally major coastal flooding from Delaware and New Jersey to Long Island and southern New England, with peak water levels expected late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
Rain and snow will develop from parts of New York into the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday, changing to snow as colder air arrives. Conditions will deteriorate dramatically Sunday evening into the overnight hours as the storm intensifies. Strong winds and snow falling at rates of an inch or more per hour will expand north from the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England.
The storm’s worst conditions will likely be hammering areas from Philadelphia to New York City and southern New England by sunrise Monday morning. Snow and strong winds will ease from south to north through the afternoon, with the storm largely wrapping up by Monday evening, though parts of New England may still experience lingering impacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bomb cyclone?
The storm will rapidly intensify into a bomb cyclone off the Eastern Seaboard beginning on Sunday.
Where are blizzard warnings in effect?
Millions of people are now under blizzard warnings, which extend from the coasts of Delaware and New Jersey through New York City and into parts of coastal southern New England.
How much snow is expected?
A foot or more of snow could pile up from near or east of Philadelphia to New York City and Boston.
As this powerful storm approaches, what preparations are you making to ensure your safety and the safety of your community?
