AccuWeather.com is wrapping up live coverage of the major winter storm that barreled up the east coast and dumped upwards of two feet of snow and more across parts of New York and Southern New England. Thank you for staying up to date with the storm on AccuWeather.com. For continuing coverage of the storm and its impacts, along with forecasts and other weather news, visit AccuWeather.com and watch the AccuWeather TV Network, check the AccuWeather mobile app for the latest forecasts, alerts and real-time conditions, and stream AccuWeather NOW anytime on our website.
Click here to read our recap coverage of the storm’s impacts across the region as residents begin to dig out from the harsh wintry blast. And stay up to date on the forecast for another potentially impactful storm set to hit a large section of the nation this week.
Drone footage coming out of Brant Rock, Massachusetts, a coastal town about 30 miles southeast of Boston, on Sunday showed seaside homes completely encased in ice after the nor'easter blew through the area a day earlier. Major snowfall was the primary impact delivered by the storm, and hurricane-force wind gusts were another significant impact, particularly for places right on the coast. Temperatures in Brant Rock were in the mid-teens on Sunday morning, and won't be making it higher than the mid-20s before plunging to single digits overnight, according to the AccuWeather forecast. Check out the video of the scene below.
Houses in Brant Rock, Massachusetts, resembled ice sculptures on Jan. 30, after sea spray kicked up by the recent nor’easter froze over them. A dusting of snow completed the winter look.
As the sun rose Sunday morning, jaw-dropping images captured by Reed Timmer showed the extent to which the nor'easter's wrath caused coastal erosion along the beaches of Cape Cod. Timmer was positioned in Truro, which is near the northernmost point of the cape. The skies were clearing there early Sunday, but at least one beachfront home was left standing precariously after heavy surf washed away large sections of the beach. Snowfall can be seen accumulated on the parts of the beach that weren't ripped into the ocean by the powerful waves. Timmer reports that many cottages in the area have been damaged or destroyed. Watch his video below.
Much of the attention focused on the Northeast and mid-Atlantic this weekend, and for good reason as some eye-popping snow amounts piled up. But the nor'easter left its mark much farther down the East Coast as well, with places along the coasts of the Carolinas picking up measurable snowfall. Video from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, showed the boardwalk there covered with a fresh coating of snow on Saturday. Conway, South Carolina, just west of Myrtle Beach, officially tallied 1 inch of snow, according to the NWS. Farther up the coast in North Carolina, several spots measured snowfall, with Surf City picking up an inch as well. Get a look at the wintry scene by viewing the video right here.
The snow has ended across New England but residents waking up Sunday morning are facing brutally cold conditions as the slow process of snow removal and cleanup begins. Temperatures in the single digits will feel much colder to those stepping outside as an icy breeze lingers across the region. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures at this hour range from 5 degrees Fahrenheit in New York City to minus 3 F in Boston and minus 7 F in Providence, Rhode Island.
It’s especially important to dress in layers if you are cleaning up the snow, as excessive sweating while shoveling can cause hypothermia to set in quickly if you take a break for a period of time, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz.
Temperatures across the Northeast as of 8 a.m. EST Sunday. (AccuWeather)
Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer reported from Massachusetts near Truro, where the peak storm gust of 99 mph was reported on Saturday. That's a remarkable gust, equivalent to the force of Category 2 hurricane wind speeds, though it's worth pointing out that hurricane ratings are based on the force of sustained winds, not gusts. Timmer filed his report early in the afternoon as high winds were causing power outages to rise above 50,000 at the time. At the peak of the storm, about 120,000 customers in Massachusetts were without power.
Coastal flooding, downed trees and power lines are a few of the hazards that residents were facing during storm cleanup across coastal Massachusetts. Homes along the beaches are experiencing high levels of coastal erosion, which will likely be maximized during high tide. Watch Timmer's report from the storm zone below.
Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer reports from a closed road in Truro, Massachusetts, where a downed tree fell on power lines and shut down power for many.
Power outages across Massachusetts were gradually declining overnight, according to PowerOutage.US, however, the number of outages is still above 60,000 early Sunday morning. As the strongest winds shift across northeastern Maine and the southern tip of Nova Scotia, it is likely the number of Massachusetts outages will continue to slowly decline throughout the day on Sunday.
In Boston, winds values have decreased in comparison to Saturday and are currently gusting between 20-25 mph early this morning. Gusts reported at the Boston Logan International Airport peaked at 45 mph shortly before 11 a.m. EST Saturday. However, locations along the Massachusetts Cape experienced wind gusts 35 mph greater than in Boston. Yarmouth, Massachusetts, reported a peak storm gust of 81 mph, reaching the criteria of Hurricane-force winds.
Screencapture from poweroutage.us showing the tracked outages at 5:45 a.m. EST Sunday across Massachusetts.
The latest 24-hr accumulations from New England include a top snowfall report of 30.9 inches in Stoughton, Massachusetts.
Snowfall has tapered off across Massachusetts and is currently spreading eastward across northeast Maine. Recent snowfall reports across northeastern Maine where snow is still occurring have already reached upwards of 1-foot.
Cleanup efforts will continue across southern New England early Sunday morning throughout the daytime hours. According to MassDOT, there are 1,913 pieces of equipment deployed across the state working to clear roads.
As the nor'easter shifts across northern portions of New England and continues to slam northern Maine and Atlantic Canada with snow and damaging winds, those across southern New England have shifted to cleanup mode.
AccuWeather's Marvin Gomez reports on the latest conditions and cleanup progress in Norwalk, Connecticut, where the overnight low temperature is expected to dip to 12 degrees F Saturday night.
Major concerns late Saturday evening across New England were gusty winds creating snowdrifts and hindering cleanup efforts. As of 3 a.m. EST, conditions nearby at Bridgeport, Connecticut, were still blustery with temperatures ranging a few degrees colder than Norwalk at 9F. The cold conditions combined with the wind bring the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures down to near 0 degrees for residents still trying to clear the snow late Saturday.
Earlier in the day, winds gusted upwards of 40 mph around Bridgeport, and the region accumulated between 6-12 inches of snow on Saturday. Watch Gomez's report below.
AccuWeather's Marvin Gomez reports from Norwalk, Connecticut, where cleanup from the snowstorm has begun in the frigid overnight temperatures.
Boston tied its record for the biggest 1-day snowfall ever for the city with a report from the historic Blizzard of 2003. Additionally, Boston reported a daily record maximum snowfall of 23.6 inches, which also obliterated the previous daily record of 3.7 inches of snow for the day set on January 29, 1928.
Numerous locations broke daily snowfall records (24-hr totals) on Saturday, including:
• Islip, New York, reported 22.9 inches (Old record 1.5 inches set in 2014)
• Providence, Rhode Island, reported 18.8 inches (Old record 6.7 inches set in 1912)
• Atlantic City, New Jersey, reported 14.0 inches (Old record 7.3 inches set in 2014)
• John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, reported 11.0 inches (Old record 1.0 inches set in 2014)
• Bridgeport, Connecticut, reported 9.6 inches (Old record 3.8 inches set in 1973)
• LaGuardia Airport, New York, reported 9.4 inches (Old record 0.9 inches set in 1966)
• Central Park, New York, reported 7.3 inches (Old record 4.7 inches set in 1904)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, reported 5.8 inches (Old record 5.0 inches set in 1904)
• Wilmington, North Carolina, reported 0.5 inches (Old record 0.5 inches set in 2014)
In New Rochelle, New York, two semi-trucks tipped over Saturday morning while traveling on I-95. The initial incident blocked both lanes from Chatsworth Avenue to the New Rochelle Tolls for a period of time.
Shortly after the first truck overturned, another tractor-trailer overturned 0.3 miles away and subsequently closed the exterior southbound lane on I-95.
The NYSDOT continues to urge drivers to remain off the roads as they work to clear snowdrifts created by the strong winds on Saturday.
With snowfall reports continuing to stream in, the highest total so far came from Norfolk County in eastern Massachusetts. In Sharon, Massachusetts, located southwest of Boston, residents reported snowfall accumulations of 30.4 inches from the bomb cyclone.
Following closely behind in snowfall amounts is Islip, New York, where 24.7 inches of snow fell. Across Long Island, New York, an additional report greater than 2 ft was sent in from Bay Shore.
Less than 40 miles from where the top report came in Sharon, Massachusetts was another measurement over 2 ft from Warren, Rhode Island, where the highest snowfall was measured from the Ocean State.
As snow continued moving across the Northeast, frigid cold AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures began to impact the region Saturday night. RealFeel temperatures of -18 degrees were reported in Beverly, Massachusetts, which is northeast of Boston. Farther south, areas in western Connecticut experienced RealFeel temperatures of -7 degrees on Saturday night. Temperatures are expected to continue falling, making cleanup difficult for those in the wake of a powerful nor'easter.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker joined public safety and transportation officials to update residents on the winter storm. Baker warned travel will be extremely hazardous through Saturday night and while crews have been working all day, conditions have made it difficult to keep roads clear. "Tomorrow will continue to be a very long day for cleanup, which will probably continue into Monday," said Baker. A travel ban on all tractor trailer trucks, tandems and special permit haulers remains in effect until midnight for the state.
Many states in the Northeast have reported 20 or more inches of snow on Saturday. Bridgewater, Massachusetts, recorded the highest measurement of 24 inches. Medford, New York, closely followed with 23.5 inches. Other states including Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey also reported over 20 inches of snow from Saturday's nor'easter. Several areas also broke daily max snowfall records, including several areas around New York City including John F. Kennedy Airport and Central Park.
AccuWeather Broadcast Meteorologist Jessica Pash has a Saturday evening forecast update on the nor’easter. Pash explains where accumulating snowfall is likely to continue through Saturday night and also details some of the most impressive wind reports. Pash also explains where the greatest threat for power outages will be as the night goes on. Watch her forecast here.
Seems like many pets are unfazed by all of this blizzard talk. Many owners shared some photos of their best friends on social media Saturday, showing many lounging around or snoozing, while others were out enjoying the extreme weather. One shared that his dog Riley was “non-plussed” by the storm.
New York City mayor Eric Adams took a break on Saturday to shovel snow after several inches of snow fell around the city. "Gotta do the things that makes you realize what every day New Yorkers do," said Adams in a Twitter video. Earlier today, the mayor advised New Yorkers to keep the roads clear for plows, and posted that it would be, "The perfect day to catch up on TV." Several areas around New York City recorded over 7 inches of snow. Central Park reported 7.5 inches. Just east of Manhattan, over a foot of snow was recorded in Middle Village, New York.
According to flight tracking service FlightAware, nearly 5,000 flights have been canceled on Saturday as the nor'easter continues to impact the Northeast. John F. Kennedy Airport in New York has seen more than 450 flight cancellations so far on Saturday, the most of any airport. Newark Airport and Boston Logan Airport each also have over 300 flight cancellations. In total, six airports across the country have experienced at least 100 flight cancellations today. In total for the United States, over 3,500 flights have been canceled on Saturday along with 1,212 delays.
Power outages are continuing to climb across eastern Massachusetts amid the nor’easter, far surpassing the surrounding states. Currently, over 119,000 customers in the state are experiencing power outages — twice as many outages as New York, the state with the second-highest number of outages in the Northeast — is experiencing, according to PowerOutage.US. Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer reported nearly 100-mph winds at Truro Beach, Massachusetts, shortly after noon Saturday. As of 1:25 p.m., Wellfleet and Yarmouth, two towns in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, recorded 81-mph wind gusts Saturday. West Dennis, also in Barnstable County, had recorded an 81-mph wind gust. “The winds feel like they’re from the Wizard of Oz,” one Twitter user from Plymouth Harbor commented on a tweet by the National Weather Service that showed a map of wind gusts.
Sub-freezing temperatures and “bone-chilling” cold are making travel treacherous around New York City as the wind continues to reduce visibility for those walking and driving. Despite the warnings to stay home, many found themselves still traveling Saturday to get to work. “You really shouldn’t be out here if you don’t have a truck,” Kempthon McIntosh, a general contractor who had stopped at a Home Depot, told AccuWeather National Reporter Jillian Angeline. He added that snow on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway was also causing dangerous driving conditions. “Box trucks on the BQE [were] spinning out,” he said. “The BQE is loaded with snow. So, that’s a major highway.”
The National Weather Service has confirmed blizzard conditions across parts of Suffolk County, New York, and New London, Connecticut, Saturday morning, as well as along the coastal strip of New Jersey and Delaware beaches both Friday night and Saturday morning. This included places across the Monmouth County coast, Long Beach Island, Atlantic City, Cape May and all of the Delaware beaches, according to the NWS. To meet the blizzard criteria, there must be three or more hours of visibility reductions to one-quarter mile or less due to falling or blowing snow, as well as sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater.
As the northeastern United States experiences a snowstorm, Marshfield, Massachusetts, experiences the incredible power of the nor’easter.
High wind gusts could be seen in Marshfield, Massachusetts, on Saturday as a powerful storm continued to impact the region in video captured by Jordan Hall with SevereStudios. In the coastal town, which is located about 30 miles southeast of Boston, signs could be seen fluttering and power lines swayed from the extreme wind. In addition to the wind gusts, coastal flooding became a danger to the area as water could be seen washing over roads. The northeastern United States continues to experience the incredible power of the nor’easter as it chugs northward along the coastline.
Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer reported from a very windy Truro Beach, Massachusetts, on Saturday afternoon. Timmer reported a wild scene of sand, snow and spray ‘caked on everything.’ In a video report, sand and snow could be seen coating trees in the heavy wind. Several trees were also down around the area. Coastal erosion is also threatening houses around the beach. “The most dangerous blizzard conditions are going to be arriving through this evening,” said Timmer.
This nor’easter has given Atlantic City its snowiest January on record, beating out January of 1987, which tallied 20.3 inches of snow. The city boasted 17.2 inches before this latest storm, and 16.0 inches of fresh snow were measured at Atlantic City International Airport before 2 p.m. on Saturday, bringing the seasonal total to 33.2 inches. The 16 inches alone would have made for the fourth-snowiest January on record, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson.
Nassau County officials told AccuWeather National Reporter Jillian Angeline that they believe a woman who was found unresponsive in her car with her windows down to be a fatality from the storm. Officials are still verifying her cause of death, but Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman told WCBS 880 that it appeared the woman suffered a heart attack or another health event and was unable to get out of her car to get help due to the weather.
AccuWeather forecasters say that treacherous travel conditions and bitter cold will linger in the wake of the historic nor’easter hammering the region. Dangerously low AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will complicate the cleanup process long after snow ends and will pose risks to the hundreds of thousands left without heat. Low temperatures Saturday night will dip into the single digits. Factoring in a lingering gusty breeze, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will plunge below zero degrees Fahrenheit across much of the region. Blowing and drifting of snow will persist across eastern New England on Sunday, keeping roads messy. Mountains of snow will reduce visibility for days in areas that pick up double-digit snowfall totals, and the risk for freeze-ups each night will linger into early in the week even as temperatures slowly moderate during the daytime.
Snow is continuing to pile up across the Northeast with New Jersey and New York seeing some of the highest snowfall totals. Bayville, New Jersey, has seen 19 inches of snow as of 12: 40 p.m. EST, with North Babylon, New York, close behind at 18.5 inches. Places across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland and Delaware, have all seen over a foot of snow. While Pennsylvania, Maine and New Hampshire haven’t quite seen that much snow, they do have locations that have measured up to 8, 6 and 4.5 inches, respectively.
A major nor'easter dumped heavy snow on Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, as the storm barreled up the East Coast. (AccuWeather/Kurt Fulepp)
More than 85% of scheduled flights at Newark Liberty Airport, totaling over 600 flights, have been canceled due to the storm, according to numbers from the airport from 11:30 a.m., local time. Nearly 90% of flights out of the airport had been canceled, as well as another 78% of flights previously scheduled to arrive, according to FlightAware. New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Boston Logan International are also seeing high totals of cancelations with 80% of departures and 72% of arrivals at the former canceled, and 93% of departures and 91% of arrivals canceled at the latter.
Near blizzard conditions were ramping up at Provincetown, Massachusetts, Saturday morning as Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer reported from Race Point Beach. The heavy snowfall and winds gusting at over 50 mph veiled the lighthouse from view where he stood. Near sunrise, Timmer said he saw what appeared to be lightning flashes in the sky, though it “very easily could have been power flashes as well” before 7 a.m., local time. Provincetown had lost power at the time of his reporting. Massachusetts is currently seeing the majority of the power outages across the Northeast with over 116,000 customers without power, according to PowerOutage.US. “This is nothing yet,” Reed said, emphasizing that the storm was just ramping up for the area.
As of 11:20 a.m. EST Saturday, the highest snowfall total from the major nor’easter slamming the eastern half of the U.S. was in Forked River, New Jersey, with a total of 16.0 inches of snow. Islip Airport in New York recorded 15 inches and Ledyard Center in Connecticut measured 14.1 inches. Most areas had snowfall totals into the double digits as of Saturday morning.
AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell reported live from Maine via Twitter Saturday morning where coastal areas are being hammered with powerful winds and blowing snow. Wadell is not the only one braving the extreme conditions in Maine. Many other people are out exploring around him. Wadell notes the temperatures are “bitterly cold.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is warning people to stay off the roads during this winter storm. He noted that the roads were “rugged” and “slippery” Saturday morning. Adams said that staying off the roads would allow for New York Department of Sanitation to do their jobs properly and clean off the roadways. Snowfall totals over 5 inches were recorded in New York City Saturday morning.
Boston Logan International Airport is reporting heavy snow and winds gusting up to 44 mph Saturday morning, which resulted in zero miles of visibility. While the current temperature at the airport is 17 degrees F, the wind gusts are bringing the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperature to 15 degrees below zero.
As the fierce nor’easter took shape overnight, it became a ‘bomb cyclone’ according to the National Weather Service. In a 12-hour period, from Friday night to Saturday morning, this storm dropped 0.77 of an inch of mercury (26 millibars) which qualifies this storm as a bomb cyclone. Bomb cyclone is a less technical term meteorologists often use to refer to bombogenesis, which is when a storm undergoes rapid strengthening. Bobmogesnsis itself is a combination of two words: bomb and cyclogenesis. “All storms are cyclones, and genesis means the creation or beginning. In this case, bomb refers to explosive development. Altogether the term means explosive storm strengthening,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski explained.
The technical measurement meteorologists use to identify if a storm has indeed become a bomb cyclone is inches of mercury. When the barometric pressure falls at least 0.71 of an inch (24 millibars) in 24 hours, a storm has undergone bombogenesis, according to Sosnowski. Bomb cyclones often form in the western North Atlantic where cold air from North America collides with warm air over the Atlantic. Bomb cyclones aren’t just limited to the Atlantic. This past fall, the West Coast was slammed by multiple bomb cyclones, including one that set records in October. These storms can occur over land as well. In March 2019, an epic bomb cyclone pounded parts of the central U.S. with heavy snow.
As of 9:50 a.m. EST Saturday, the highest snowfall total from the major nor’easter hitting the eastern half of the U.S. was in Forked River, New Jersey, with a total of 15.5 inches of snow. North Babylon, New York measured 13.5 inches of snow and Lewes, Delaware, measured 12.0 inches of snow. Other totals from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island were in the single digits at 9.8 inches (Cromwell), 8.1 inches (Norton) and 6.3 inches (West Warwick), respectively.
Around 8:30 a.m. EST Saturday, during high tide in Plymouth, Massachusetts waves could be seen crashing onto the windows of the beachfront Pilgrim Sands Hotel. Julianne Lima, a reporter for Boston 25 shared videos on Twitter of the waves crashing against a wall of windows in the hotel. She noted that the street in front of the hotel, Warren Avenue, was flooded and closed to traffic. In a previous tweet, Lima said “The wind in Plymouth is not joke!” after it ripped off shingles from the roof of the hotel.
Amtrak on Saturday morning canceled all Acela train service between Washington and New York/Boston as well as all Northeast Regional and Vermonter service between New York and Boston. Those needing to modify their reservation, can call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 for assistance.
Power outages are becoming more widespread as the storm strengthens: As of Saturday morning, more than 111,000 utility customers were without service in Massachusetts, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. The majority of the outages were concentrated in Plymouth and Bristol counties in southeastern Massachusetts, as well as Cape Cod. Blizzard conditions continue to produce gusty winds and low visibility across coastal Massachusetts, which could lead to more power outages. Massachusetts has the most power outages across the United States.
In a Youtube livestream outside of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, snow can been seen covering the streets. Plows and people with shovels can be seen removing the snow from around the steps of The MET. However, the snow isn’t slowing everyone down in New York City -- many cars, people and pets are out and about in the frigid conditions.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation took to Twitter Saturday morning writing, “Travel conditions already difficult and will worsen throughout the day…Avoid travel if possible.” MassDOT restricted trailers, tandems and special permit haulers from state highways through midnight and has issued a speed restriction of 40 mph on Interstate 90 from the New York border to Framingham, Massachusetts. MassDOT has 2,692 pieces of equipment deployed in snow and ice operations statewide.
Near hurricane-force winds are whipping up on Cape Cod in Massachusetts Saturday morning, a blasting that will create the blizzard conditions that have been forecast for much of eastern New England, especially the coastline. “Winds are definitely ramping up out here…visibility is starting to drop,” said AccuWeather Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer, reporting more than 45 mph winds at Provincetown Harbor at the tip of the Cape. “Winds are only going to get stronger. Three to 4 inches of snowfall seems likely, especially in the Upper Cape.”
As seen on the AccuWeather Radar, snow is reaching from Maine all the way down to South Carolina. The heaviest of the snow is just off the mid-Atlantic coast, reaching into parts of southern New England. Islip, New York, New London, Connecticut and New Bedford, Massachusetts are all under a heavy band of snow that could be producing snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour.
Before dawn on Saturday, parts of New Jersey were reporting over a foot of snow and there were multiple reports of up to 10 inches of snow across central Long Island, New York, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). On Long Island, the highest snowfall accumulations were measured in Islip and Commack, New York. Near Port Jefferson Harbor, a snowfall amount of 7.7 inches was measured.
Amounts along the New Jersey coastline have reached over a foot in Forked River. And 24-hour snowfall amounts ranging from 9 to 11 inches were measured around Cape May, New Jersey, early Saturday.
Additional snowfall is expected to fall across the region as the nor'easter develops further. Forecasters say that storm totals along the New Jersey coastline and across Long Island will reach 12-18 inches, with locally higher amounts of up to 18 inches in eastern Long Island.
People throughout the Northeast captured video as snow began to accumulate on the night of Jan. 28, expecting it to just be the beginning of a powerful nor'easter.
Just before 6 a.m. ET Saturday, the National Weather Service’s New York City office was reporting heavy snowfall of 1 to 2 inches per hour with near blizzard conditions.
Meanwhile, officials from the New York State Thruway Authority’s city division said Saturday morning that its crews have been working all night treating the roadways, but cautioned residents to avoid any travel if possible. “Travel is not recommended through [Saturday] evening,” the NWS said. “If you must travel, use extreme caution and have a winter survival kit with you.”
According to Flight Aware, there have been 876 flight cancellations on Saturday at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. A total of nine flights were delayed with the ongoing nor'easter along the New England coastline.
Additionally, roughly 615 flights have been canceled on account of the storm at Boston Logan International Airport on Saturday.
Across the United States, a total of 4,466 flights have been canceled, and an additional 2,470 flights have been delayed. JetBlue accounts for the highest percentage of those cancellations, about 68% of the total. Second to JetBlue is American Airlines, claiming around 18% of the total cancellations and delays. Delta said on Friday that it would suspend operations at John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty airports through Sunday morning and restart them on Sunday afternoon if conditions allowed.
Those with a flight scheduled on Sunday are encouraged to monitor for incoming updates.
With the upcoming winter storm, here is how you can measure snow.
First, collect your supplies. You’ll need a ruler or a yard stick, white plywood board roughly 16 inches in size and a flag or something to help locate the board later. Find an open area away from tall objects, but sheltered from wind to place the white board, marking it with the flag to set up. During events with high winds, the National Weather Service recommends taking measurements from several locations and averaging them out. You’ll want to set up before the snow begins. Then, once the snow begins to fall, measure the snow that has fallen on the board daily at the same time. All totals should be recorded to the nearest tenth of an inch. As soon as it stops snowing, measure the snow one last time to avoid lower totals due to melting, settling and drifting. After that, all that’s left to do is share your report with your local National Weather Service station.
As of 2 a.m. EST Saturday, general snowfall amounts across Long Island ranged from 2-4 inches, including a report from the National Weather Service New York City office of 3 inches. New incoming reports of 4.5 inches near Fort Totten Park and 6 inches at Islip, New York, were received around 2:45 a.m. EST Saturday.
Residents around Tom's River and Forked River, New Jersey, have tweeted preliminary snowfall amounts ranging from 6-8 inches on grassy surfaces where a potent band of snowfall has set up across southeastern New Jersey. The NWS office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, captured a screenshot of the higher intensity snow band and warned that conditions will rapidly deteriorate and blizzard conditions are expected.
Travel disruptions have increased throughout the early morning hours on Saturday across the areas affected by the storm. According to the New Jersey DOT, multiple crashes have occurred along the Garden State Parkway and I-195 after a heavy snow band developed, resulting in blocked off lanes and ramps. Lanes along the Garden State Parkway south of Exit 89A were shortly reopened to traffic, however, exit ramps and lanes remain blocked off to traffic north of Allenwood, New Jersey.
By 3:30 A.M., a few snow reports have trickled in across Rhode Island, ranging from 0.5 inches to 2.5 inches so far. By the early morning hours, more reports will likely roll in as steadier snow bands develop throughout the overnight period.
Damaging winds gusting to tropical storm forces are expected to blast the mid-Atlantic coast. Currently, wind gusts upwards of 30 mph have arrived across eastern Long Island and portions of southern Rhode Island as the storm shifts northeastward. Block Island State Airport has reported gusts of 31 mph with light snow falling and visibility around 1 mile overnight Friday.
The strongest winds are expected along the coast during the daytime on Saturday into Saturday night when winds can reach speeds ranging from 50-70 mph.
Northeasterly winds are picking up over water nearby coastal regions of eastern Massachusetts and southern Maine. Locations across the Cape such as Provincetown and Nantucket are reporting wind gusts upwards of 28 mph.
According to poweroutage.us at 2:30 A.M. EST, Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts combined have under 100 reported outages at the moment. However, this value is expected to climb by daybreak on Saturday as the winds become stronger. By 3 A.M. EST, the outages across New York and Massachusetts reached nearly 500. Across New Jersey alone, power outages reached nearly 630 by 3:20 A.M. EST Saturday morning.
Farther south, dozens of flights were disrupted on Friday night as a result of the strong winds at Philadelphia Airport according to Travel Watch.
While officials are advising everyone to stay off the roads during the major nor’easter that is set to impact the East Coast from Virginia to Maine, if you must be on the roads, you should have these important items. It might seem obvious, but it is important to travel with a full tank of gas or a full electric charge. Tools like sand, snow shovels and ice scrapers are also key. Sand (or even cat litter) can be dumped on the roadway to help a stuck car gain traction, while snow shovels can help remove snow around tires and ice scrapers can help you clear an icy windshield. When it comes to survival, having a supply of drinking water, perishable foods and blankets in your car is important. When stuck on the road, your phone is crucial to allowing you to call for help, so having a portable phone charger can be a difference-maker. Road flares or flashlights can also be used to signal for help from passing drivers or snowplows.
All that said, stay off the roads during the blizzard, if at all possible. It does not take a blizzard to make traveling extremely dangerous, as many Virginia commuters found out earlier in January when they got stuck on Interstate 95 for more than a day.
AccuWeather's Bill Wadell is reporting live across coastal Maine Friday night where blizzard warnings are in effect. Throughout the evening hours, residents across Maine are making last-minute trips for supplies and groceries in preparation for the incoming nor'easter. On Friday, many businesses announced that they will be closed on Saturday due to the storm, and likely will not open on Sunday. Maine officials are urging drivers to stay off the roads as the storm tracks into the region, bringing risks such as heavy snow, blustery winds, coastal flooding, frigid air and even freezing sea spray.
A city-wide parking ban has been put in place for snow removal from 10 P.M. Saturday until 6 A.M. Sunday, although officials recommended that residents transport their vehicles to the designated lots by Friday evening if possible.
Drivers are advised to keep a three-day supply of food and water as the threat of extended power outages looms, as well as an emergency kit inside their cars.
Vanessa Corson, public information officer from the Maine Emergency Management Agency, stated, "If you absolutely have to leave home, make sure your vehicle is completely free of snow and ice that you can see out completely".
Snow has already arrived across southern New England and is expected to push into portions of southern coastal Maine by daybreak on Saturday.
As the highly contagious omicron variant continues to strain staffing efforts in all workforces, officials in Northeast cities fear their blizzard response efforts will be complicated by worker shortages. In Plymouth, Massachusetts, public works director Jonathan Beder told The New York Times that he’s worried not just about the intensity of the storm, but also the duration. Should it last over 24 hours, he said workers will certainly be exhausted.
“We don’t have second or third shifts,” he said. “We’re not like a police or fire department.”
According to Beder, about 10 emergency workers from the city are out with COVID-19. On top of that, he said officials were trying not to transport emergency workers in the same vehicles in order to prevent spread. That “will definitely slow our response down,” he said.
Experiencing a power outage during a fierce winter storm can be far worse than a mere inconvenience – it could prove life-threatening. Knowing how to prepare ahead of time is crucial, here are a few things to check and stock up on.
• Know how to stay warm: When you can’t turn the heat on, use towels and blankets to block drafts and keep the cold out. Windows can be insulated with black blankets to draw heat from the sun, while running hot water can also draw heat into the house. To keep pipes from freezing, turn faucets to a trickle and open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate.
• Avoid carbon monoxide dangers: Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious hazard during power outages, as generators located near doors, windows and vents can allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Make sure generators are properly ventilated and carbon monoxide detectors are installed.
• Stock up on non-perishables: It is best to maintain a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food during the winter months, with items such as fruit bars, peanut butter, nuts and trail mix making for great stockpile items. Batteries, flashlights and a radio are also crucial supplies.
• Stay inside: Don’t take risks on the road during a winter storm. Along with the hazardous road conditions of snow and ice, downed power lines can also lead to traffic accidents. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supply kit in your car and avoid traveling alone. Read more tips here.
Commercial transportation in New Jersey has already begun to grind to a halt amid both the impending snowstorm and commercial travel restrictions across the state. “There are multiple vehicle restrictions for commercial vehicles, tractor-trailers, motorcycles in this area because of the impending storm,” AccuWeather National Reporter Jillian Angeline said while reporting in Secaucus, New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Transportation issued commercial vehicle restrictions on multiple Interstate highways that began at 5 p.m., local time, Friday.Truck Driver Walter Stitt was one of the truckers who found his drive temporarily stalled. “[I] don’t really know when I can leave,” Stitt told Angeline. “The main reason I stopped here is my 14-hour had run down and I just needed a parking place. And this was available.” However, he was in no rush to try and drive in the weather conditions. “I’ll just stay here until it’s gone,” he added.
While it may cost some extra time when trying to make connecting flights, deicing planes is an essential process in aircraft safety, as the buildup can hinder a plane’s ability to fly smoothly and safely.“Snow, ice and frost change the shape of the wing and tail and their ability to generate lift — the force that allows an airplane to fly — and increase weight and drag — the forces an airplane must overcome in order to fly,” said William Here, a pilot and CEO of regional airline charter online marketplace Linear Airline Taxi. Ice can accumulate on every exposed frontal surface of an airplane, not just the wings, and enough ice buildup can even cause the engine to stop working.
Crews around Washington D.C have been treating roads and sidewalks with salt since Wednesday, preparing for the incoming nor’easter. AccuWeather National Reporter Sarah Gisriel reported from the D.C. area on Friday as the first flakes fell. "We have seen cars slowed down considerably,” she reported. Roads around the district are pre-treated, which crews have been doing for the past several days in anticipation for the storm.
While only a couple of inches are expected for the district, officials are still getting ahead of the storm. “On January 3rd, we had a pretty significant snow event and one of the things that we’re doing now in preparation for this event is a full deployment. So we are over-preparing in terms of readiness," said D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Director, Christopher Rodriguez.
Precautions will need to be taken not just on the roadways, but also with getting to Metro. “We can help message that to the public so that we are setting those expectations for commuters or travelers who are coming into the city,” said Rodriguez.
Over 900 lineworkers are prepared to restore power across Long Island during the upcoming winter storm, AccuWeather National Reporter Emmy Victor reported. “Beginning tonight, around midnight, we’re going to be working around the clock,” Larry Torres, manager of Emergency Planning, told Victor. He added that the lineworkers will be working 16-hour shifts until the threat of outages is over. “For an event of this size, we’re requiring all of our staff to work, including our Long Island contractors here on Long Island,” he said. PSEG Long Island says crews spent the day Friday making sure they have extra pieces of electrical equipment in their trucks, and their service stations will be open this weekend to ensure crews can quickly access any other equipment they might need.
While the storm over the weekend will hit the Northeast hard, it was also impacting parts of Virginia Friday night. To prepare, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) was out pre-treating roads before the snow moved in, AccuWeather National Reporter Emmy Victor reported. They’re relying on nearly 8,000 pieces of equipment to help clear state roads and highways and relying on snowplow drivers, who will work 12-hour shifts until all roads are safe and passable. Virginians are being asked to stay home, if possible, Friday night into Saturday. “If you do plan to go somewhere, and you need to be somewhere, it is best to get there before the weather arrives,” VDOT Assistant Director of Communications Marshall Herman told Victor. “We realize that isn’t always the case for people, but we can’t stress enough how important it is to stay off the roads during and after these storms.” The department also advised motorists to have a winter kit in their car with food, water and medication.
Snow continued to fall across the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on Friday evening. (Twitter/@z_rosenthal)
As the nor’easter takes shape later Friday into Saturday, AccuWeather forecasters say it will explode in intensity off the East Coast, rapidly becoming a bomb cyclone that could unleash powerful winds, dangerous surf and blizzard conditions in areas from Maryland to Maine.
Bomb cyclone is a less technical term meteorologists often use to refer to bombogenesis, which is when a storm undergoes rapid strengthening. Bobmogesnsis itself is a combination of two words: bomb and cyclogenesis. “All storms are cyclones, and genesis means the creation or beginning. In this case, bomb refers to explosive development. Altogether the term means explosive storm strengthening,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski explained.
The technical measurement meteorologists use to identify if a storm has indeed become a bomb cyclone is inches of mercury. When the barometric pressure falls at least 0.71 of an inch (24 millibars) in 24 hours, a storm has undergone bombogenesis, according to Sosnowski. Bomb cyclones often form in the western North Atlantic where cold air from North America collides with warm air over the Atlantic. Warm waters of the Gulf Stream may also provide a boost in an emerging storm, according to Sosnowski. Bomb cyclones aren’t just limited to the Atlantic. This past fall, the West Coast was slammed by multiple bomb cyclones, including one that set records in October. These storms can occur over land as well. In March 2019, an epic bomb cyclone pounded parts of the central U.S. with heavy snow.
As a blizzard looms from the mid-Atlantic coast all the way up to Maine, power outages are expected as extremely gusty winds are expected. AccuWeather forecasters expect the storm, which will undergo bombogenesis, to create winds of 50-70 mph that will blast the mid-Atlantic coast while hurricane-force gusts that could climb as high as 90 mph are expected to howl in southeastern New England. While the snowfall is expected to be dry and powdery and not cling to powerlines, the winds alone will be very problematic, with officials advising people to brace for lengthy outages. Local utility companies are hard at work preparing for the storm. “We’ve brought in 300 additional lineworkers. This complements our 200 internal lineworkers. And we’re also going to be bringing in some additional tree crews. So, we’ll be mobilizing all of those resources over the next couple of days,” said Central Maine Power VP of Electric Operations, Adam Desrosiers.
With blizzard warnings issued for eastern Long Island, New York, heavy snow, high winds and coastal flooding are expected across much of the area. Here are a few things to know about the region.
Nearly 3 million people live on the main portion of the island, consisting of Nassau and Suffolk counties.
• Including the NYC boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, which is the extreme western end of Long Island, its population is more than 7 million.
• More than one-third of New York state's population of nearly 20 million is living on Long Island.
• Long Island is 23 miles wide at its widest point, 118 miles long -- hence the name -- and has about 1,600 miles of shoreline.
• Long Island boasts some of the country’s most expensive real estate, particularly in the Hamptons, where many celebrities own second homes and real estate has been booming since the onset of the pandemic.
• The Hamptons are also popular among the uber-wealthy, with a portion of it nicknamed "billionaire's lane" due to the eye-popping property values and the many billionaires who own the lavish estates.
NJ Transit announced on Friday that all bus, River LINE and Access Link services will be suspended starting on Saturday due to an incoming snowstorm. Service is expected to resume later on Saturday once it is safe to do so, according to NJ Transit. "It is important that local, county and state roads are free from vehicular traffic to the greatest extent possible to expedite snow removal, which will allow service to resume more promptly," NJ Transit said in a press release. It also stated customers should remain extra cautious around bus stops and stations as slippery conditions may exist from the storm.
Temperatures at Mount Washington, New Hampshire, the tallest mountain in the Northeast, are forecast to drop into the single digits on Saturday, but the AccuWeather RealFeel® will be even lower. With 50 mph-wind gusts forecast on top of the already cold temperatures, the AccuWeather RealFeel® at Mount Washington is forecast to drop to 52 degrees below zero late Saturday night. The following day does not look to get any warmer. The temperature is forecast to drop to around five below zero, with the RealFeel® reaching 54 degrees below zero in the early morning.
As a nor’easter brings heavy snowfall and gusty winds to the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, the South will see a wave of unusual cold. In Orlando, Florida, the AccuWeather RealFeel® temperature is forecast at 34 degrees on Saturday night. Further north in Jacksonville, Florida, the temperature will drop to an astonishing 23 degrees, a hard freeze that will damage crops like citrus, potentially rising the prices of oranges at the grocery store in the near future. The chilly weather may also lead to the issuance of “falling iguana warnings,” which is actually a real threat, despite the silly name. When it gets too cold, the up to 25-pound iguana grows immobilized and can fall off trees, causing damage to sidewalks, cars and anyone unlucky enough to be underneath them.
The Maryland Department of Emergency Management announced the state would declare a state of emergency ahead of a winter storm expected to impact the area. Members of the Maryland National Guard have been mobilized as portions of the state expect several inches of snowfall. Up to a foot of snow is possible around the lower Eastern Shore. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan directed the Maryland National Guard to stage 125 soldiers so they can assist state and local agencies during the snow. On Friday, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee also declares a state of emergency. He also implemented a travel ban for motor services on Rhode Island roadways from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Bus service will be suspended by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority on Saturday. A ban on tractor-trailers will also go in effect for Rhode Island roads from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee took to Twitter on Friday to let the public know that the state was ready for whatever Mother Nature had to offer this weekend. Ahead of what looks to be a significant blizzard, the governor said road crews began pretreating roads on Friday. The state has more than 75,000 tons of road salt, more than 150 snowplows and 350-plus private snowplow vendors ready to battle the nor’easter. “Plan ahead now to avoid being on the roads on Saturday,” McKee said.
The governor was also in contact with governors of neighboring Connecticut and Massachusetts, Ned Lamont and Charlie Baker. “Just finished up calls with both @GovNedLamont and @CharlieBakerMA and I can say New England snow-prep is in full swing. We are aligned and ready for this blizzard.” McKee also visited the city of Pawtucket Friday to see how it was preparing for the blizzard and to offer support. “All 39 cities and towns are a crucial part of our extreme weather preparation and response,” he said.
While snow accumulation totals may be the most eye-catching statistic, experts warn that this storm system’s “extreme snowfall rates” could be its most dangerous facet. AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said meteorologists are particularly concerned for areas in heavy snow bands across Southern New England through Long Island, where snow could fall as rapidly as 2 to 4 inches per hour.
“This is far more snow than even the most experienced road crews are used to and can easily cause roads to become dangerous and impassable,” he said. “Our concern is driving us to include in our forecasts that extreme snowfall rates can strand motorists and can quickly become a life-threatening situation.”
The combination of that extreme rate, low temperatures in the teens and wind gusts above 50 mph will produce AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures in the ranges of -15 to -20F, “resulting in the risk of hypothermia within minutes.”
Blizzard warnings have been issued along the coast of the Northeast from Maine to Maryland, including Atlantic City, New Jersey. This is the first blizzard warning issued in New Jersey in 1,484 days when a major nor’easter hit the region in the opening days of 2018. The popular beach town was buried in 13.2 inches of snow on Jan. 4, 2018, the sixth snowiest day in Atlantic City history. A repeat of the 2018 storm could be in the offing this weekend to cap off an already snow-filled month, with an impressive 17.2 inches having already fallen through Jan. 27. With 10 to 15 inches of snow in the forecast, this month will likely become the snowiest January in Atlantic City history, surpassing the current record of 20.3 inches that fell throughout January 1987.
Blizzard warnings have been issued from Salisbury, Maryland, to Bar Harbor, Maine, leaving dozens of cities big and small preparing for their most significant snowfall in years. In New York City, up to 12” of snow is forecast, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has directed state agencies to prepare for a major storm. “I encourage New Yorkers to closely follow their local weather forecasts, stay off the roads and avoid unnecessary travel,” Hochul said. On Long Island, trees are being trimmed in advance of the storm in an attempt to prevent power outages, reported ABC 7 News New York.
In Boston, where up to 2 feet of snowfall is forecast, Mayor Michelle Wu took to the podium to ask residents to prepare for one of the worst snowstorms in the city’s history. “This has the potential to be a historic storm, a huge one,” Wu said. More than 38,000 tons of salt are ready to be deployed on the streets, and a snow emergency has already been declared.In Portland, Maine, where up to 2 feet of snow is also forecast, crews are preparing to deploy salt on the roads and work to keep the Maine Turnpike clear, reported The Portland Press Herald. “With the storm we are anticipating, we will have all hands on deck and they are ready for it,” Maine Turnpike spokesperson Erin Courtney said.
Ahead of the major nor’easter set to dump close to two feet of snow in and around Boston, the National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for the city and surrounding areas. This is the first time since March of 2018 that a blizzard warning has been issued for the city. Boston Logan International Airport picked up 14.8 inches of snow during the blizzard of March 2018, according to the National Weather Service. And if Boston ends up with more than 14.8 inches of snow in 24 hours during the storm this weekend, this storm will move into the top 10 snowiest days on record for the city.
Nothing catches the eye of a New Englander like the warning of a ’WICKED BIG STORM” on electronic billboards throughout the region. The bright yellow warnings flashed on major roadways throughout Rhode Island as the state’s Department of Transportation resorted to using the local lingo to reach its audience.
Hours before the snowstorm arrives in the area, social media users have shared their love for the signs, and thus their warnings, throughout the day on Friday.
The storm’s a-brewin', the pantry is looking scarce and you’re heading to the grocery store to purchase all the pre-blizzard essentials to ride out the storm. Milk, bread and eggs are the first three items to grab, right? Wrong. According to nutritionists, those are actually terrible choices.
Should the power go out for an extended period of time, the milk will easily spoil, the eggs can’t be cooked and the bread isn’t going to provide much nutritional value on its own. Rather, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people stockpile at least three days’ worth of meals. Below are some more stockpile tips.
- Peanut butter or almond butter are both high in protein and good fats. Snacks like nuts and trail mixes are also good to keep on hand because they pack a big nutritional punch. Dried fruits are high in vitamins and fiber.
- Apples are one of the longest-lasting fruits you can purchase and are also 86% water, making them a good source of hydration.
- Dates are one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world and in the absence of fresh fruit, this healthy snack offers potassium, dietary fiber along with a significant amount of nutrients and calories.
- Canned tuna or salmon provides essential protein and can generally last at least two years.
- Canned chili can be eaten straight out of the can and will provide a variety of nutrients, protein and fiber. Always look for low-sodium options to prevent dehydration.
- Protein or fruit bars as well as dry cereal and granola are also good choices.
AccuWeather forecasters have updated the snow forecast for New York City, Boston and other major East Coast cities. In New York City, the forecast calls for 8-12 inches of snow, with snow expected to fall through Saturday night.
In Philadelphia, 3-6 inches of snowfall is expected, though the city could very well see up to 10 inches if the storm moves farther to the west.
In Providence, Rhode Island, the forecast is for one to two feet, with snowfall expected to start Friday night and continue into Sunday morning. In Boston, the forecast is the same as it is in Providence, with one to two feet of snowfall and gusty winds expected.
Final preparations are underway across the Northeast ahead of this weekend’s blizzard, but AccuWeather meteorologists are already looking down the pipeline to the next winter storm. “A potent snowstorm may be in the offing around the middle of next week across the center of the nation,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. Unlike this weekend’s nor’easter, the next big snowstorm will swing across the nation’s heartland spreading snow from the Colorado Rockies to the Great Lakes on Groundhog Day. It’s still too early to tell if this will become the second blizzard to hit the U.S. in less than a week, but people from Denver through Chicago should check back with AccuWeather in the coming days for more details about the next storm.
The impending nor’easter isn’t going to be “just another snowstorm” in eastern Massachusetts with the region likely to see well over a foot of snow. Snowfall rates could peak near 4 inches per hour during the heart of the storm, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said, making it impossible for plows to keep roads clear. AccuWeather predicts a band of 2 to 3 feet of snow will fall near Boston with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 42 inches. On top of that, strong winds will create drifts that will bury parked vehicles. It could take hours to find and dig out cars in the wake of the storm. Additionally, this excessive amount of snow could be too much for snowblowers to clear in one swoop after the storm ends. People digging out after the storm should follow these tips to stay safe while shoveling.
A group of people walk past cars buried in snow on M street in the South Boston neighborhood of Boston Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 in Boston. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
AccuWeather’s Bill Wadell is on the ground in Portland, Maine, where residents are preparing for up to 2 feet of snow and blizzard conditions. Hundreds of flights have been canceled up and down the East Coast, leaving some families to scramble to get flights. One local business playfully told locals it was closed and urged them to stay home, making a sign which reads: “Make a chowdah for the storm! Closed Saturday.”
AccuWeather's Bill Wadell is in Portland, Maine, where flights have already begun to be canceled ahead of the major winter storm.
Scratch those weekend plans, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small said on Thursday, and spend extra time on your couch doing some “Netflix and chill.” Small, who has been mayor for over two years, urged residents in his city to stay off the roads if possible and take this upcoming storm seriously. According to AccuWeather meteorologists, the coastal city, which has already picked up over 17 inches of snow this season, could pick another 10-15 inches this weekend. “This isn’t our first rodeo, but it’s the most significant snow we had in years,” Small told CBS3.
“As I stated, we want to take this storm seriously. If you don’t have to come out, please don’t,” he said at a press conference. “This is truly one of those Netflix and chill type of weekends.”
Residents in Boston could get more snow this weekend than they’ve seen in many, many years. It has been nearly 20 years since Beantown’s “Blizzard of 2003,” which dropped 27.6 inches of snow over a two-day period. The infamous Northeast Blizzard of 1978, which was dubbed “one of the worst of the century,” also left more than 27 inches in the city. According to all-time data recorded by the National Weather Service and compiled by AccuWeather, the city would likely have to receive at least 20 inches of snow to break into one of the top 10 snowfall slots in Boston history. As of Friday morning, AccuWeather meteorologists forecast the city to receive 18-24 inches, with the potential for more particularly in areas with snowdrifts.
Many of those totals that currently sit in the top 10 came from storms that struck in February and March. This weekend’s wintry blast could set the city record for snowiest January storm, a mark currently held by the 2015 storm that dropped 24.6 inches from Jan. 26-28.
The strengthening nor’easter could end up being one of the top-five snowstorms in Boston history, but the intense snow will not spread across the entire Northeast. The exact track that the storm will take has been challenging for forecasters to predict, at times looking like it might go out to sea while at other times looking like it could spread plowable snow across most of the region. Ultimately, AccuWeather has predicted that the nor’easter will track close enough to the coast to dump over a foot from the coast of New Jersey to Maine while the interior Northeast gets little to no accumulation.
There could be a sharp gradient on the western side of the storm with 1 inch and 1 foot of accumulation separated by a short distance. An abrupt drop-off in snowfall totals is not uncommon with potent nor’easters like the one set to unfold this weekend. In January of 2016, a historic snowstorm blanketed New York City in a record-setting 27.5 inches of snow. Just 25 miles to the north, White Plains, New York, measured only 13 inches of snow, and nearly 60 miles away in Poughkeepsie, only a few flurries were reported.
According to AccuWeather meteorologists, many areas could be in store for an all-out blizzard and enough snow to “leave a lasting impression on the region for this decade and perhaps many more to come.” The rapidly strengthening nor’easter is expected to pack enough strength to completely shut down major highways and leave communities throughout the Northeast without power.
“This is going to be a dangerous, life-threatening storm, especially in southern New England,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter said.
Keep tuned in to AccuWeather.com the AccuWeather Network, streaming here, for the latest forecast and news updates regarding the storm.
