Nationwide weather chaos has taken hold, bringing catastrophe in its wake. By 2 p.m., a substantial 7 inches of snow had blanketed areas of Nebraska, Iowa, and Michigan. As the day progresses, the snowfall is expected to shift its focus towards the Great Lakes and the Northeast, particularly targeting regions like New York City and Philadelphia by Saturday night. The initial snowfall will gradually transition into a wintry mix before ultimately changing over to rain as warm air pushes northward.
New England is bracing for the brunt of the storm, with anticipated snowfall totals ranging from 12 to 18 inches by the end of Sunday. The imminent mix of sleet and freezing rain across the Northeast is anticipated to create hazardous driving conditions. The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center warns of the likelihood of significant ice accumulations due to freezing rain, particularly in the interior Northeast, which could result in power outages.
The storm is predicted to gain strength as it moves through the Northeast, with intensification expected late Saturday into Sunday. Strengthening winds, potentially leading to blowing snow and treacherous travel circumstances, are also on the horizon. Looking ahead to early next week, forecasts suggest that the system will slowly shift off the East Coast, though lingering blustery winds will likely maintain cold temperatures across much of the eastern United States.
Approximately 76 million individuals are under wind alerts through the coming week, including areas such as Jacksonville, Florida; Asheville, North Carolina; and metropolitan hubs like New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Wind gusts reaching speeds of 40 to 60 mph are possible in these locations, posing further challenges and disruptions.
