- A snow emergency has been declared in Boston.
- New York City public schools have announced a move to distance learning.
- Hundreds of flights were canceled at Boston and New York airports.
School closures were announced in major cities including Boston and New York, hundreds of flights were canceled and drivers were warned of dangerous conditions as a winter storm moved to the northeast.
The system has been named Winter Storm Lorraine by The Weather Channel. It was on track to become a nor'easter as it approached the East Coast, which happens when a strong area of low pressure is characterized by winds coming from the northeast off the Atlantic Ocean.
Get the full forecast here.
(8:20 a.m. ET) as snowfall impressed our experts more than ever
From Weather.com Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Erdmann:
In winter storms, we often see relatively narrow bands of the heaviest snow accumulation, usually where frontal areas intensify – what meteorologists call “frontalization.” Snowfall rates of more than one inch per hour can occur in these ranges, sometimes accompanied by lightning.
In this case, 6 to 10 inches of snow has already accumulated from central Pennsylvania to southwest of downtown Hartford, Connecticut.
(8:10 a.m. ET) Snow threatens to dampen voter turnout in New York's special election
From the editor of Weather.com Tim Harris:
As New York City suburbs prepare for a special election on Tuesday, snowfall could overshadow the competition for control of a key congressional seat left vacant by the departure of George Santos. With turnout expectations already low due to the shortened race period, the added challenge of inclement weather could further impact voter efforts.
(7:55 a.m. ET) The slight shift means changes in outlook for millions
As meteorologist Dominica Davis explains in this video, the low associated with winter Storm Lauren stayed a little further south, meaning a shift in the expected heavy snowfall totals. As a result, snow forecasts for Boston have trended downward, and parts of southern New England are expected to end this storm with higher snowfall totals.
Regardless, the Nor'easter is still expected to bring strong wind gusts to much of the region, and power outage fears remain high. Already, more than 65,000 homes and businesses are in the dark in Pennsylvania, according to PowerOutage.us.
(7:40 a.m. ET) Wolf, Seidel reports live from Lauren
The Weather Channel was out braving the elements in several locations this morning. Meteorologist Mike Seidel reported live from Central Park in New York City, where more than an inch of snow has fallen so far. If that spot gets more than 3 inches, it will be the first time since Jan. 28-29, 2022, when Winter Storm Kenan dumped 8.5 inches of snow on the park.
Reynolds Wolfe saw more snow than Seidel when he lived in Hartford, Connecticut.
(7:30 a.m. ET) Drivers struggle on snow-covered roads in Virginia
Northwest of the nation's capital, roads in and around Perryville, Virginia, were covered in snow, resulting in numerous shipwrecks, as documented. By storm chaser Peter Forrester.
(7:15 a.m. ET) Snow testing new snowplow tracking technology in New York City
From Weather.com Senior Editor Nikki Budnick:
BladeRunner 2.0, a new way for New York City officials to clean streets after snowstorms, was announced in December.
The technology upgrade improved on New York City's old plowing system, which plowed only main streets, then secondary and tertiary streets. Now, officials say every bike lane, street and highway will be salted, then plowed once the snow reaches two inches.
“We have never been more prepared for the snow season, thanks to our new BladeRunner 2.0 software that will allow us to better track and support our fleet of nearly 5,000 vehicles across all five boroughs,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a press release.
New Yorkers can use PlowNYC to track the progress of snow removal in their neighborhoods.
(7 a.m. ET) Highest snow totals as of this hour
Here are the highest rates of snowfall so far, according to the National Meteorological Directorate:
– Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania: 10.5 inches
– Pocono Mountain, Pennsylvania: 9.7 inches
– Near Freeland, Pennsylvania: 9.5 inches
– Drums, Richfield, Pennsylvania: 9 inches each
Here is some additional information about this storm leading up to our live update coverage this morning:
Increased flight cancellations; Drivers have been warned to stay home
Hundreds of flights were canceled Tuesday at Boston and New York-area airports ahead of the storm, according to FlightAware, which tracks airlines. The largest airports affected as of Monday evening were LaGuardia, Boston Logan, John F. Kennedy and Newark.
FlightAware also said that more than 1,000 flights to and from the United States were canceled nationwide on Tuesday.
Airlines including Delta and United have waived change fees at major airports in cities along the storm's path, including Baltimore, Boston, New York metro, Philadelphia and Washington.
Driving on and around portions of the Interstate 95 corridor can become hazardous. Travelers and passengers are advised to check road conditions and weather forecast along their entire route.
How did the area prepare for the storm?
Crews across the area began salting roads Monday afternoon, with hundreds of personnel, vehicles and snow removal equipment on standby.
In Morris County, New Jersey, residents were advised to think twice before going out tonight or tomorrow morning.
“Usually we see that's where the problem is, either we have vehicles on the road that aren't equipped to be there or people who don't feel comfortable driving in the conditions that our increased emergency response comes in,” Jeffrey Ball, the county's director of emergency management, told Northjersey.com. Emergency. We always ask people to act smart.
(More: There is a peak time for major snow storms in the Northeast)
School closures were announced in several cities.
The nation's largest school system, New York City Public Schools, will Transition to distance learning. Classes have been completely canceled in Boston.
“Please stay off the roads tomorrow,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Monday, according to WCVB-TV. “Where possible, make plans to stay indoors.”
The city's mayor declared a snow emergency, placing parking restrictions to make room for snow removal equipment.
Dozens of school districts across Rhode Island also announced closures or transitions to virtual learning.
In Pennsylvania, vehicle restrictions will be in place at 3 a.m. Tuesday along all or portions of several major roadways including the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstates 78, 80, 84 and 99.
How much snow will it fall in New York City?
The storm carries the potential for snowfall amounts not seen in the Big Apple in more than two years.
“The last time Central Park had a snowstorm of 3 to 6 inches or more was Jan. 28-29, 2022, when it reached 8.5 inches. “This storm will likely be the most violent since that storm, with accurate forecast totals dependent on precipitation changing to snow,” Chris Dolce, Weather.com's chief meteorologist, said Monday morning.
“Where it snows, the snowfall will be very heavy. Some places could see snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour.”
(more: Here's what to know about the “40/70 standard” and northeastern snow)
Total accumulation could reach half a foot in places like Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, in addition to high winds.
“I think we're going to have some intermittent power outages, and we're going to have some coastal flooding due to high tides,” said Ari Sarsalari, a meteorologist at Weather.com.
What is norister?
From Dolce: The term nor'easter is about the wind direction associated with low pressure systems that track near the East Coast. Not all East Coast storms earn this title since onshore winds along the coast must blow from a northeasterly direction. These storms often occur from fall to winter and early spring, but snow is not a requirement.
Read more about this type of storm.
Weather.com Reporter Jean Childs Covers breaking news and features on weather, space, climate change, environment and everything in between.
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