Snow is piling up in cities across the Northeast today in what could be the biggest blizzard of the season, affecting about 50 million people.
The weather system developed in the Midwest before moving east across the country, bringing a light blanket of snow from Iowa to Ohio Wednesday. The system swept into the Northeast this morning and quickly intensified as it hit the East Coast.
Snow Accumulations
As of this morning, the National Weather Service had issued blizzard warnings for Long Island, New York, and eastern Massachusetts, as well as winter storm warnings for Philadelphia, New York City, Boston and Portland, Maine.
Heavy snow started coming down in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) this morning with a snowfall rate of about 2 to 4 inches per hour, which could create whiteout conditions.
Travel
The heavy snowfall is creating hazardous travel and whiteout conditions for many cities in the Northeast.
The National Weather Service advised against travel in New York City and the surrounding tri-state area this morning because of the snowstorm. The federal agency urged people to have an “emergency kit” on hand if travel becomes absolutely necessary.
Travel is NOT recommended tomorrow morning due to heavy snow. If you absolutely must venture out, have an emergency kit in your car.
