A historic winter storm is poised to slam the northeastern U.S. Look for rain changing to ice and then to heavy snowfall Monday night into Tuesday. Millions of Americans are under winter storm advisories as we speak. The storm, which wreaked havoc in the Gulf states, is rapidly approaching and already beginning to impact the entire eastern seaboard.
The greatest remaining impact from this storm will occur in the northeast, where major impacts are expected late on Monday. Forecast models indicate the heaviest snow will cover a swath from the Poconos in Pennsylvania northeastward into eastern Maine. This entire area has the potential to see five to ten inches of snow from Monday night through Tuesday night. Luckily, conditions should start to improve by Wednesday.
Andrew Orrison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, commented on the impending weather event:
“It’s going to be the first snowfall of the season for many of these areas, and it’s going to be rather significant.”
Alongside the snowfall, Michiganders can expect hazardous, icy roads and freezing rain in areas. A winter storm warning is in effect for coastal Maine from 9 AM Tuesday to 9 AM Wednesday. Residents are encouraged to postpone any travel if they can to not put themselves in the path of possible dangers.
The fierce storm comes as the nation continues to recover from massive travel disruptions that occurred during the busy holiday travel weekend surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday. Hundreds of flight cancellations and thousands of delays followed as winter weather immobilized East Coast transportation networks. Most alarmingly, a recent winter storm that hit the Midwest and Great Lakes region led to many deadly multi-car highway pileups. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport recorded an impressive 8.4 inches of snow on Saturday alone. That snowfall became the snowiest November day ever recorded in the city’s history.
In addition to those storm preparations, crews began pre-treating lanes across the 565-mile long Pennsylvania Turnpike system, beginning Monday. Vehicle restrictions on many interstates in the eastern half of Pennsylvania will be imposed at 5 AM on Tuesday to ensure safety on the roads.
The Department of Transportation has taken a lighthearted approach to the winter preparations, announcing:
“Welcome to The Department of the Seven Snowplows, our winter twist on a classic tale. Hawthorne had gables. We have orange snowplows just waiting for the perfect name.”