Nearly 30 million Americans are under weather alerts as a massive winter storm careens toward the East Coast, prompting a rare blizzard warning to be issued in New York City.
The storm was expected to bring some of the most severe weather to eastern Massachusetts, stirring up strong winds in places such as Cape Cod and Nantucket where isolated gusts could reach over 70mph.
Residents in New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts have been warned to brace for arctic conditions.
In the Big Apple, where the heaviest snowfall is expected, accumulations could begin between 7pm Sunday and last to noon Monday, per the National Weather Service.
Forecasters are predicting 13 to 20 inches of snow in parts of the city as a result of an incoming bomb cyclone.
It marks the first blizzard warning issued for New York City since March 2017.
Officials warned that travel would become ‘dangerous, if not impossible’ with power outages and downed tree limbs likely due to the snow and winds.
The storm could also trigger moderate coastal flooding of up to 2.5 feet potentially affecting the Hudson River. Vehicles parked near the water may be at the risk of flooding, the weather service said.
13 to 18 inches of snow were predicted to hit New York City, although the National Weather Service warned that could be more
The heaviest snowfall in New York City was expected between 7pm Sunday and noon Monday, with locals placed under an unusual blizzard warning
The unusual blizzard warning was issued as officials warned the storm could continue to strengthen and drive snowfall totals even higher.
Forecasts predict the system’s pressure to intensify rapidly, forming what is known as a bomb cyclone or an Arctic hurricane.
In an even stronger storm scenario, Central Park could receive up to 21 inches of snow, while JFK and Newark airports could see as much as 23 inches.
The odds of that outcome were placed at around 25 percent by New York City Emergency Management on X.
If the projections hold, the storm would bring the city’s heaviest snow since February 1, 2021, when 14.8 inches fell.
New Yorkers may also remember the January 2016 blizzard, when a record 27.5 inches was measured in Central Park.
That was the highest total recorded there since record-keeping began in 1869.
Central Park could even see up to 21 inches of snow in a stronger scenario for this weekend’s winter storm
Authorities warned that travel would become ‘dangerous, if not impossible’ given the likely power outages and downed tree limbs
The latest storm arrives just weeks after a separate system blanketed the city, with the snow just having melted in New York City.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said officials were better prepared this time. During the previous storm, at least 19 people were found dead outdoors.
In response, Mamdani has resumed homeless encampment sweeps across all five boroughs.
This weekend’s massive snow storm is predicted to initially develop off the coast of the Carolinas and then move northward along the coast.
The National Weather Service has also upgraded southern Delaware and the Jersey Shore to blizzard warnings.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency starting noon Sunday ahead of what she called a ‘severe’ storm.
In Connecticut, officials activated the state’s emergency management plan to assist residents in need during the storm.
Officials in Delaware urged residents to limit travel to ’emergencies only’ and advised anyone who must venture out to carry a ‘winter survival kit’ due to the storm’s severity.
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Delays were expected at regional airports in wake of the snow storm, with New York City authorities already warning that cancellations and delays were typical after blizzard conditions
Some communities in Pennsylvania declared states of emergencies, although the state was yet to do so as of Saturday afternoon.
Washington DC and Philadelphia are forecast to be hit before the storm reaches New York.
The latter is under a winter storm warning from Sunday morning through Monday night.
Boston has also been issued a blizzard warning through 7am Tuesday.
Major travel disruptions, likely lasting days, are likely at airports across the region.
The New York City Emergency Management service warned that blizzard conditions typically cause widespread flight cancellations, delays, and ground stops at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark.
