Millions of Americans traveling along Interstate 95 in the Northeast are getting ready for the impacts of a powerful nor’easter bomb cyclone expected to bring significant snowfall starting Sunday.
Forecasts have intensified, indicating that major cities in the Northeast, including New York City, could experience their most significant snowstorm in years.
The weather system will start to develop as the low-pressure area strengthens while it moves north from the North Carolina coast on Sunday afternoon.
As the nor’easter moves toward the East Coast, conditions are considered “too close for comfort,” and heavy snowfall could stretch from Virginia to Maine beginning Sunday evening.
The combination of heavy snow and strong winds is anticipated to create notable snowstorm conditions throughout southeastern New England.
New York City is under its first blizzard warning in nearly ten years, with conditions expected to deteriorate Sunday night, including wind gusts reaching 55 mph. This blizzard warning also extends to the New Jersey coast.
Boston and all of Rhode Island are facing similar warnings.
New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia could receive anywhere between 18 and 24 inches of snow from late Sunday into Monday, while areas farther inland might see lower totals.
In certain areas along the Jersey Shore, over 6 feet of snow is predicted. New Jersey’s Governor Mike Sherrill has declared a state of emergency for the state, starting Sunday at noon.
Similarly, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is set to declare a state of emergency for 22 counties in New York, which is expected to be formalized by Sunday morning.
Baltimore may see around 8 to 12 inches of snow by Monday, though there are still many uncertainties regarding the snowfall amounts for Washington, DC, where anywhere from 5 to 18 inches could fall.
The storm system has dropped in pressure significantly, showing characteristics of both a nor’easter and a bomb cyclone. As conditions worsen, heavy snow and strong winds are anticipated to grip New England on Monday.
Snowstorm conditions are likely to impact Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, with wind gusts potentially reaching 110 km/h, which could lead to widespread power outages.
Monitoring for snowstorm conditions extends along the East Coast, from Boston down to Cape May, New Jersey.
A blizzard involves sustained winds of 35 mph or more, with visibility dropping below 1/4 mile for at least three hours.
Strong northeasterly winds will continue as a pressure gradient forces the low-pressure system eastward, elevating water levels along the shore and contributing to mild to moderate flooding during high tides, especially in eastern Massachusetts.
Coastal flood warnings remain active from Delaware to Maine since Sunday night and won’t be lifted until Tuesday.
Snowfall in New York City is expected to wrap up by Monday afternoon, while Long Island and areas up to Maine will contend with snowfall through Monday night. Overall, snowfall should cease across the Northeast by Tuesday morning.
