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The northeastern United States saw the arrival of its first major winter snowstorm on Tuesday, just as the Midwest began to shake off the snow and ice that complicated travel after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Some parts of northern New England were expecting up to 25.4 centimeters (10 inches) of snow. A windy and potentially icy storm was heading toward the region and could drench parts of the six-state area while accumulating snow in others, meteorologists declared.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories in states such as Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, and New York ahead of the snow's arrival. By Tuesday morning, snow was falling steadily throughout the region.
The winter blast came days after more than 20.32 centimeters (8 inches) of snow fell at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport over the weekend, setting a record for the single largest November snowfall at the airport, according to the weather service. The previous record was set in 1951.
Snow in the Great Lakes region was tapering off, but the new storm was heading to the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with up to 30 centimeters (a foot) of snow forecast for Tuesday, said meteorologist Andrew Orrison. Hundreds of flights were delayed amid the snow.
“It’s going to be the first snowfall of the season for many of these areas, and it’s going to be quite significant,” Orrison said.
Meteorological winter, which spans from December to February, is used by climatologists to maintain consistent records and differs from the astronomical seasons found on most calendars.
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The snowstorm now sweeping the mid-Atlantic and Northeast started as a weaker system over the central United States, but strengthened as it approached coastal waters, said Ashton Robinson Cook of the NWS Weather Prediction Center.
These types of storms are rare, but not “too far out of the realm of possibility,” he stated. The next system could also bring winter weather to the mid-Atlantic through Friday and Saturday.
Clima invernal llega al noreste
The National Weather Service issued a warning for the coast of Maine from Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning, stating that residents “should delay all travel if possible” due to the snow. The state is one of many that will receive its first major December snowfall, meteorologists noted.
Schools and government offices closed throughout the Northeast, and officials noted that potentially dangerous road conditions exist. Dozens of schools in upstate New York canceled classes, with a forecast of 15 centimeters (6 inches) or more of snow in some parts of the eastern state. Snow began falling before dawn, making roads slippery for the morning commute.
In New Hampshire, the Department of Transportation invited residents on Sunday to submit names for their second annual snowplow naming contest.
“Welcome to the Department of Seven Snowplows, our winter spin on a classic tale. Hawthorne had gables. We have orange snowplows waiting for the perfect name,” the department said on social media, alluding to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story, “The House of the Seven Gables.”
Last year’s winning name was Ctrl-Salt-Delete. This season’s winners will be announced in January.
Escuelas cerradas y carreteras congestionadas en Ohio
Winter weather advisories remained in effect across Ohio on Tuesday, as icy conditions complicated traffic and led to school closures. The overnight snowfall left accumulations of 7 to 12 centimeters (3 to 5 inches) of snow in parts of the southern state, according to the National Weather Service.
Numerous accidents were reported. In the northern part of the state, a portion of I-70 West running through Cleveland had to be closed while an accident was cleared, while highways around Columbus experienced dangerous slowdowns.
Meteorologists urged caution, as slippery conditions and poor visibility will persist.
Pensilvania se prepara para la nieve
Snow is expected to accumulate in wide parts of Pennsylvania, so crews began treating lanes along the 909-kilometer (565-mile) turnpike system, said agency press secretary Marissa Orbanek. Beginning at 5 a.m. Tuesday, vehicle restrictions were imposed on many interstates in the eastern half of Pennsylvania, including the Northeast Extension of the turnpike system, from the Lehigh Valley to Clarks Summit.
Snow was falling steadily in the Lehigh Valley by Tuesday morning. Traffic slowed to a near-halt in the Kutztown area along Interstate 78 as the snow fell.
More than 600 equipment operators and safety workers are available to help clear the 4,667 kilometers (2,900 miles) of turnpike lanes, Orbanek said. The turnpike's winter staffing schedule began in mid-November, and 23 maintenance sheds are staffed 24 hours a day.
“We really prepare for snow year-round,” Orbanek stated.
[Publicidad]