Winter Storms Plow Through Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, Second Storm Nipping at Its Heels
The mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions are currently dealing with a winter storm that is causing travel disruptions and hazardous conditions, and there’s another stronger storm on the way that will affect a wider area of the US.
The first storm is expected to unleash up to a foot of snow through Sunday, impacting millions of people under winter storm alerts. Freezing rain has already made driving dangerous in parts of Virginia and North Carolina, and heavy snow has been reported in central Pennsylvania, ending a long wait for significant snow in the area.
Road conditions have deteriorated, and Pennsylvania transportation crews have been prepping roads since Friday to keep them passable. Parts of Pennsylvania, the Appalachians, and the interior Northeast and New England are expected to see some of the worst impacts from the storm.
Governors and officials in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have encouraged residents to stay home and prepare for the storm, as visibility and road conditions are expected to worsen quickly.
While major disruptions are less likely in Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, and Washington, DC, due to the storm’s track and insufficient cold air, other cities, especially in New England, have higher chances of significant snowfall.
A second, more potent storm is expected to follow the first storm through midweek, bringing all hazards including snow, ice, strong winds, tornadoes, and flooding rainfall. The second storm will span the entire eastern half of the country, with the highest chances for heavy snow in parts of the Plains, Great Lakes, Midwest, and interior Northeast. Severe storms, including strong tornadoes and damaging winds, are also expected in southern portions of the Southeast.
The storm will be tapping into warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, raising the risk of flooding and power outages.
Meteorologists have warned of potential hurricane-force wind gusts along the East Coast, and flooding risks are being closely monitored between Philadelphia and New York City, with the area placed under a Level 3 out of 4 risk for flooding. Similar destructive scenarios played out in December, causing deadly flooding in parts of interior New England after heavy rain melted snow.
As the situation continues to develop, officials are urging residents to stay informed and take precautions to stay safe.