Blizzard Warnings Issued as Major Nor'easter Threatens East Coast
The National Weather Service escalated its warnings on Saturday, issuing blizzard alerts for New York City, New Jersey, and coastal communities along the East Coast. A formidable late-winter storm, projected to arrive Sunday, now threatens to disrupt the start of the new week with potentially severe impacts.
Forecast Details and Increased Severity
Meteorologists have significantly revised their assessment of the storm's intensity, which was initially expected to be less ferocious just days earlier. The weather service predicts that many areas could see 1 to 2 feet (approximately 30 to 61 centimeters) of snow, accompanied by blizzard conditions. Warnings specifically cover New York City, Long Island, southern Connecticut, and coastal regions in New Jersey and Delaware. Additionally, flooding is a concern in parts of New York and New Jersey.
Cody Snell, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center, emphasized the rarity of such an event, stating, "While we do get plenty of these nor'easters that produce heavy snow and strong impacts, it's been several years since we saw one of this magnitude across this large of a region in this very populated part of the country."
Timeline and Travel Hazards
The storm is expected to begin Sunday morning near Washington, D.C., before advancing toward Philadelphia and New York City, ultimately reaching Boston by late Monday evening. Initial rainfall may transition into worsening conditions, with the heaviest snowfall anticipated Sunday night. Some areas could experience snowfall rates of up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) per hour, tapering off by Monday afternoon.
The National Weather Service has issued stark travel warnings, noting that steady winds of 25 to 35 mph (40 to 56 kph) will "make travel dangerous, if not impossible." Risks include scattered downed tree limbs and potential power outages due to the combined effects of heavy snow loads and strong winds.
Local Preparations and Safety Measures
This new storm approaches as the remnants of a previous snowstorm from weeks earlier are finally melting away. In response, officials in Atlantic City, New Jersey, have urged residents and casino visitors to avoid streets during the event, particularly in low-lying neighborhoods prone to flooding.
Scott Evans, the city's fire chief and emergency management coordinator, highlighted the dangers, explaining, "I could go on and on probably with a good two dozen streets where we know we will get water and there will be snow on top of that. So you won't be able to see it until it's too late, so therefore please stay at home."
Residents across the affected regions are advised to prepare for hazardous conditions, limit unnecessary travel, and heed local advisories as this significant weather system unfolds.
