New York: A heavy winter snow storm lashed the northeastern United States yesterday, subjecting New York to near blizzard-like conditions and forcing flight cancellations as schools and the United Nations closed.
Commuters in the densely populated region awoke to windblown snow — less than 24 hours after enjoying spring-like temperatures — and faced slick highways. Forecasters said the weather had the potential to be the most powerful storm that some areas have seen in a mostly snow-free winter.
The National Weather Service predicted that the Boston area and eastern Maine could get 12 to 18 inches of snow, and a blizzard warning has been issued for all of Long Island. New York City could see 8 to 12 inches and the Philadelphia area 4 to 8 inches. Near whiteout conditions were possible, with the snow expected to fall at a clip of 2 to 4 inches per hour at its peak.
Massachusetts activated its emergency management bunker in Framingham. Governor Charlie Baker urged people to stay off the roads to allow plows and sanders to do their work.
Eastern Long Island was bracing for 12 to 16 inches of snow, with a potential for power outages. “The roads are in bad shape ... covered and icy,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini said. He said snow was falling at up to 2 inches per hour and expected to intensify as the day went on.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said people should stay home. “If you need to go out, please, don’t use your car,” de Blasio said on NY1 television.
In Manhattan, intrepid, bundled-up commuters carefully navigated snow-covered sidewalks. The blowing snow stung any exposed skin.
Officials also are warning of high winds, coastal flooding and possible power outages.
New Jersey’s emergency management office reported about 50 accidents before mid-morning, and that number was expected to grow. New Jersey Transit trains face delays of up to 15 minute.
State offices in New Jersey were closed, as were the courts in Massachusetts. Government offices in the Delaware, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties surrounding Philadelphia were also shuttered.
A number of school systems cancelled classes including New York City, Philadelphia and Boston. Airlines scrapped thousands of flights by late Wednesday as a precaution, and FlightAware.com reported 3,323 flights were canceled Wednesday through Friday, including more than 2,700 yesterday.
The United Nations also announced that “due to inclement weather” its New York headquarters would be closed.
The storm comes a day after much of the Northeast enjoyed a brief glimpse of spring, with temperatures hitting 60 degrees in some places. Yesterday's storm is expected to last 6 to 10 hours, said Carl Erickson, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather in State College, Pennsylvania.
