A swiftly growing nor’easter, the so-called bomb cyclone by experts is on its way to the US East Coast and brings with it a lot of heavy snowfall, gale force winds, and coastal flooding of the Mid-Atlantic to New England.
The storm, which is projected to be strongest between Sunday night until Monday, has been accompanied by the issuance of blizzard warnings in the major cities such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia with the officials declaring that the storm would cause life threatening conditions and massive disruptions.
The low pressure system that is forming in the Atlantic is predicted to have a dramatic increase in strength as it moves northwards parallel to the coastline. Blizzard alerts are now extended to the eastern part of Virginia to the southern parts of New England, and the amount of the snowfall may reach up to 2-3 inches per hour with northeast wind speeds of up to 70 mph.
Such conditions may result in a whiteout, dropped power lines, damaged trees, and onshore surges may bring about 1-2 feet of flooding at risky areas of coastal New York City, central New Jersey, and Nassau County, up to 2 feet in some of the Long Island, coastal Connecticut and southern New England.
The inland areas might experience lower totals yet experience dangerous traveling. “High confidence in 10 to 20 inches of snow across eastern MA/RI, but more uncertainty across western MA/CT dependent on the western extent of heavy snow,” stated the National Weather Service Boston..
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have declared a state of emergency and transportation hubs are on high alert. Flights are being canceled by airlines and transit companies are modifying their operations to make safety a priority. Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut stressed the magnitude of the storm: “The forecast changed very quickly over the last 24 hours, and now it appears that we have a major storm heading in our direction that is likely to bring blizzard conditions.” He added, “In addition to high rates of snowfall, the particular concern with this storm are the very strong wind gusts, which will make travel extremely dangerous and will cause visibility to be very low.”
The National Weather Service described the typical features of the nor’easter: Nor’easters are infamous in terms of having strict winds and extensive sources of moisture they receive by the Atlantic. In particular, the storms affect the densely-populated area between Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston, the so-called I-95 Corridor.
There was a warning of the growing risks by NWS Boston: High-impact winter storm is coming to southern New England Sun evening-Mon night with strong winds and heavy snowfall. Blizzard conditions are probably on the east in MA and RI. Hazardous travel expected. Higher exposure to damage of tree/outage of power east MA/RI.
They also observed, the storm is accompanied by strong-damaging winds. Heavyest winds farther east (gusts up to 60 mph, which could be 70 mph) in early Mon morning-Mon evening. This mixed with heavy wet snow will add danger to tree damage and power outages particularly east MA/RI.
The FEMA encouraged preparedness: Heavy snow and strong winds will hit parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Sunday into Monday with blizzard potential. Prepare: unwarranted travel, charge gadgets, hoard requirements and get ready against power blackouts. Keep up with local officials.
Previously, they gave recommendations, which include: be on high alert as strong winds and heavy snow can hit the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Projections are not permanent. Check @NWSWPC to get the latest updates and follow instructions by local officials.
The occurrence reminisces past historic snowfalls in the past in the area, including New York City having 27.5 inches in January 2016 and the notorious Great Blizzard of 1888 with snow more than 50 feet deep. Authorities are asking people to hoard, lock down homes and stay off streets. School districts are considering shutdowns and coastal communities are implementing parking prohibitions.
Governor Lamont stepped up safety: “I am urging everybody to think ahead and not be on the road on Sunday night and at least Monday morning. We are keeping an eye on the prediction since it is constantly changing, and I would recommend all to keep their eyes open during the weekend.”
With the core of the storm effects to occur over the next 48 hours, millions of people in one of the most populated regions of America prepare to be a part of what might be one of the most disruptive winter events of the year. Stay tuned for updates.
Nor’easter Bomb Cyclone Bears Down on US East Coast, Triggering Blizzard Warnings added by Sridhar P on
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