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Northeast Snowstorm: How Much Are We Getting? Northeast Snowstorm: How Much Are We Getting?
(about 4 hours later)
• New York City public schools will be closed on Tuesday.
• More than 4,000 flights have already been canceled.
• New York City may get up to 20 inches of snow, the National Weather Service said.
Communities across the Northeast are preparing for a late-winter snowstorm, and forecasters are warning of heavy snowfall on Tuesday from Washington to New England. A blizzard warning is in effect for much of the New York City area.Communities across the Northeast are preparing for a late-winter snowstorm, and forecasters are warning of heavy snowfall on Tuesday from Washington to New England. A blizzard warning is in effect for much of the New York City area.
“Things get interesting for the East Coast beginning Monday night,” the National Weather Service said in a statement on Monday morning.“Things get interesting for the East Coast beginning Monday night,” the National Weather Service said in a statement on Monday morning.
The Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for most of the Northeast region of the United States, but warned that final snow totals will be particularly tricky to estimate, based on when and where, exactly, the storm system delivers rain and sleet instead of snow.The Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for most of the Northeast region of the United States, but warned that final snow totals will be particularly tricky to estimate, based on when and where, exactly, the storm system delivers rain and sleet instead of snow.
A low-pressure system in the Midwest will drop up to three inches overnight on Cleveland, with nearly a foot of accumulation on Tuesday in the Snowbelt of northwestern Ohio near Lake Erie. Two low-pressure systems will then meet off the southeast coast, creating a true nor’easter on Monday night, the Weather Service said. Especially in coastal areas, the snow may change to sleet or rain on the East Coast by Tuesday afternoon, it said.A low-pressure system in the Midwest will drop up to three inches overnight on Cleveland, with nearly a foot of accumulation on Tuesday in the Snowbelt of northwestern Ohio near Lake Erie. Two low-pressure systems will then meet off the southeast coast, creating a true nor’easter on Monday night, the Weather Service said. Especially in coastal areas, the snow may change to sleet or rain on the East Coast by Tuesday afternoon, it said.
By mid-day Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio had already decided to close New York City’s schools for Tuesday.
School was canceled for Tuesday in Providence, R.I., and a number of public schools around Massachusetts, including Everett, Medford and Plymouth. Boston’s public transportation system, known as the MBTA, planned to run a normal schedule on its subway lines, but warned of changes on the commuter rail and possible changes to the buses and subways as Tuesday wears on.
In Washington, the White House announced on Monday that President Trump and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany had postponed a visit planned for Tuesday. Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, said the visit would be rescheduled for Friday.
It remains to be seen whether hundreds of thousands of federal employees and contractors will be asked to report to work on Tuesday. The decision is up to the federal Office of Personnel Management. President Trump has yet to name a director of the office. A spokesman for the acting director, Kathleen McGettigan, a 25-year veteran, said Monday morning that the office was monitoring the forecast and that existing procedures would be followed.
New York City’s Emergency Management Department has already issued a hazardous travel advisory, urging New Yorkers to avoid driving and to take public transit.
American Airlines, United, JetBlue and other airlines issued travel advisories over the weekend anticipating weather-related cancellations and delays for the next few days.American Airlines, United, JetBlue and other airlines issued travel advisories over the weekend anticipating weather-related cancellations and delays for the next few days.
As of Monday, there were more than 1,200 flight cancellations to, from or within the United States expected for Tuesday — a number that was likely to rise. According to Flight Aware, 211 flights had already been canceled for Tuesday at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, with dozens more cancellations for that day at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and in other East Coast hubs like Boston and Philadelphia. Flight cancellations for Tuesday were ticking up on Monday. By lunchtime, more than 4,000 flights were canceled into, out of or within the United States, according to flightaware.com, with hundreds of cancelations pouring in to New York’s airports, Boston Logan and other Northeastern airports.
In its 4 a.m. Monday update, the Weather Service upgraded its blizzard watch to a blizzard warning, and said the most likely snow total for New York City was 20 inches, which would break a 129-year record for March. Meteorologists said to expect a minimum of 11 inches, and as much as 23 inches of snow. The Philadelphia International Airport said Southwest Airlines had canceled all of its flights there on Tuesday, and American Airlines had canceled all flights until 5 p.m. that day.
Early Monday afternoon, according to flightaware.com, more than 250 flights were canceled for Tuesday at LaGuardia and Kennedy International Airports in New York. Boston Logan had 270 cancelations and Baltimore/Washington International Airport had 245.
The cancelations were sure to complicate travel plans throughout the Northeast; though for some travelers, that wasn’t such a bad thing.
In New York, an early morning Weather Service update upgraded its blizzard watch to a blizzard warning, and said the most likely snow total for New York City was 20 inches, which would break a record set in March 1888. Meteorologists said to expect a minimum of 11 inches, and as much as 23 inches of snow.
The latest forecasts show a light snowfall beginning in the city late Monday and then intensifying overnight. By the morning commute, there could be blizzard conditions in the city, with snow falling 2 to 4 inches an hour and winds approaching 30 miles per hour, with gusts topping 50 m.p.h.The latest forecasts show a light snowfall beginning in the city late Monday and then intensifying overnight. By the morning commute, there could be blizzard conditions in the city, with snow falling 2 to 4 inches an hour and winds approaching 30 miles per hour, with gusts topping 50 m.p.h.
“We’re preparing for a significant storm on Tuesday, and New Yorkers should also prepare for snow and dangerous road conditions,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “Besides the snow, it will be cold. We urge you to avoid unnecessary travel and help keep roads clear for Sanitation crews and first responders.” Even 11 inches in Central Park would place the storm among the heaviest snowfalls to be recorded in New York in March.
Mayor de Blasio also announced on Monday that schools would be shut down on Tuesday. On Long Island, expected snowfall totals to range from 10 to 17 inches. There is an increasing probability of moderate coastal flooding for the southern and eastern bay areas, according to the Weather Service.
For the first time this year, the Department of Sanitation is deploying its full snow-fighting force, starting with 689 salt spreaders across the five boroughs.
Once two inches of snow accumulate, 1,600 plows will be dispatched to clear the roads, but with snow expected to fall throughout the day, officials said that both the morning and evening commute would be treacherous.
The city’s Emergency Management Department has already issued a hazardous travel advisory, urging New Yorkers to avoid the roads and to take public transit.
Even 11 inches in Central Park would place the storm among the heaviest snowfalls to be recorded in New York in March. A 20-inch storm would top the record set in March 1888.
On Long Island, expected snowfall totals range from 10 to 17 inches. There is an increasing probability of moderate coastal flooding for the southern and eastern bay areas, according to the Weather Service.
In New Jersey, Middlesex County could see 18 to 24 inches, which will “make many roads impassable and may produce widespread power outages,” according to the Weather Service. Whiteout conditions are likely, “making travel extremely dangerous.”In New Jersey, Middlesex County could see 18 to 24 inches, which will “make many roads impassable and may produce widespread power outages,” according to the Weather Service. Whiteout conditions are likely, “making travel extremely dangerous.”
About 14 inches are expected in Freehold, with snowfall totals dropping further south. Atlantic City is expected to get four inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Along the coast, moderate coastal flooding is expected on Tuesday, with a surge of 2 to 3 feet around high tide at 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Several roads are expected to become impassable because of flooding, and high winds with gusts of 50 to 60 m.p.h. are likely.
In Connecticut, Danbury is expected to be hit the hardest, with 21 inches. Bridgeport is forecast to see 18 inches, New Haven could see 17 and New London could get off comparatively easy with 13, according to the National Weather Service.
In addition to the snowfall, winds of 35 to 50 m.p.h., with gusts up to 60 m.p.h., are possible Tuesday morning into the afternoon in eastern Long Island and southeastern Connecticut, possibly leading to power outages, the Weather Service said.
In Washington, where snow is expected to begin on Monday night, the Weather Service is calling for 6 to 8 inches. The city is sandwiched in a narrow forecast band, with areas directly west and north of the city expected to receive 8 to 12 inches of snow, and those immediately south and east between 1 and 4 inches. Baltimore is expected to have up to a foot.In Washington, where snow is expected to begin on Monday night, the Weather Service is calling for 6 to 8 inches. The city is sandwiched in a narrow forecast band, with areas directly west and north of the city expected to receive 8 to 12 inches of snow, and those immediately south and east between 1 and 4 inches. Baltimore is expected to have up to a foot.
It remains to be seen whether thousands of federal employees who work within the Capital Beltway will be asked to report to work on Tuesday. The decision is up to the federal Office of Personnel Management. President Trump has yet to name a director of the office. A spokesman for the acting director, Kathleen McGettigan, a 25-year veteran, said Monday morning that the office was monitoring the forecast and that existing procedures would be followed. Much of New York State is likely to see double-digit snowfall, and clearing the roads is expected to be difficult. The Weather Service office in Binghamton is calling for 10 to 15 inches throughout south central New York. Western, central and upstate New York are also under a winter storm warning.
Much of New York State is likely to see double-digit snowfall, and clearing the roads expected to be difficult. The Weather Service office in Binghamton is calling for 10 to 15 inches throughout south central New York. Western, central and upstate New York are also under a winter storm warning.
“Travel will become quite difficult, with snow covered, slippery roads, and poor visibilities,” the Weather Service said in the warning sent Monday morning.“Travel will become quite difficult, with snow covered, slippery roads, and poor visibilities,” the Weather Service said in the warning sent Monday morning.
Winds of 10 to 15 m.p.h. will create “significant blowing and drifting snow” Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, the warning said.
And have some hot chocolate at the ready if you’re going outside to shovel: Temperatures will be in the teens to mid-20s, the warning said.
Snowfall is expected to begin between 11 p.m. Monday and 2 a.m. Tuesday along much of the Southern Tier. It’s expected to reach Syracuse between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said state resources would also be deployed, and he urged caution.
“We are closely monitoring this storm as it develops and I am directing all state agencies to be on alert and ready to respond as the weather develops,” Mr. Cuomo said on Sunday in a statement.
In Philadelphia, forecasters are planning for 12 inches of snow beginning Monday night, with a potential for up to 21 inches.In Philadelphia, forecasters are planning for 12 inches of snow beginning Monday night, with a potential for up to 21 inches.
Outside of the city, eastern Pennsylvania, including Allentown, Reading and Doylestown are expected to get between 12 and 20 inches.Outside of the city, eastern Pennsylvania, including Allentown, Reading and Doylestown are expected to get between 12 and 20 inches.
Large swathes of New England could get up to 18 inches, according to the Weather Service. Large swaths of New England could get up to 18 inches, according to the Weather Service.
The service issued a blizzard warning for parts of Massachusetts and said minor to moderate coastal flooding was expected during the high tide on Tuesday, accompanied by strong gusts of winds reaching 60 m.p.h.The service issued a blizzard warning for parts of Massachusetts and said minor to moderate coastal flooding was expected during the high tide on Tuesday, accompanied by strong gusts of winds reaching 60 m.p.h.
For the first time this year, the New York City Department of Sanitation is deploying its full snow-fighting force, starting with 689 salt spreaders across the five boroughs.
Once two inches of snow accumulate, 1,600 plows will be dispatched to clear the roads, but with snow expected to fall throughout the day, officials said that both the morning and evening commute would be treacherous.
“We’re preparing for a significant storm on Tuesday, and New Yorkers should also prepare for snow and dangerous road conditions,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “Besides the snow, it will be cold. We urge you to avoid unnecessary travel and help keep roads clear for Sanitation crews and first responders.”
In New England, the snow is expected to fall perhaps as fast as 2 to 4 inches per hour, said Alan Dunham, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass.
“The storm’s going to have a very hard punch, it’s going to be a fast moving storm,” Mr. Dunham said.
Adding to the troubles will be high winds, which could knock down trees and power lines, and the fact that the snow will be heavy, wet and mixed with sleet in some areas.
“This is heart attack snow,” Mr. Dunham said, urging people to seek help if they need it. “Trying to shovel this is like having a stress test.”