URGENT UPDATE: A powerful winter storm is set to unleash blizzard conditions on the East Coast, affecting over 35 million people from February 25 to 26, 2023. Meteorologists are warning of severe snow accumulation, with New York City potentially facing 12-18 inches of snow, marking the first blizzard warning for the city in nine years.
Meteorologist Cody Snell from the National Weather Service states, “While we do get plenty of these nor’easters, it’s been several years since we saw one of this magnitude across this large of a region.” The storm is expected to wreak havoc just as the week begins, prompting officials to take immediate action.
New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged residents to stay indoors and avoid travel during the storm’s duration. Preparing for this significant weather event, the city has deployed over 700 salt spreaders and converted 2,000 garbage trucks into snowplows. Mamdani is even offering residents a chance to become “emergency snow shovelers.”
In an effort to keep residents safe, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Saturday, activating around 100 members of the National Guard. Meanwhile, New Jersey‘s Governor Mikie Sherrill has also declared a state of emergency effective Sunday at noon, anticipating severe blizzard conditions throughout the state.
The National Weather Service has issued its first blizzard warning for southern New England in four years, with forecasts indicating snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour beginning Sunday evening. Travel is expected to be perilous, with winds ranging from 25 to 35 mph creating dangerous conditions across the region.
As the storm approaches, many residents in low-lying areas of Atlantic City have been cautioned to avoid streets prone to flooding. Fire Chief Scott Evans emphasized the risks, stating, “You won’t be able to see it until it’s too late, so therefore please stay at home.”
Air travel is also being severely impacted, as major airlines have started canceling flights in anticipation of the storm. Delta Airlines announced cancellations for flights at New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Boston, with over 3,000 flights canceled on Monday alone. JetBlue has reported approximately 1,200 cancellations scheduled between Sunday afternoon and Tuesday.
As conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, officials are urging everyone to stay informed and heed safety warnings. The storm is predicted to bring heavy snowfall and strong winds, creating potentially life-threatening conditions for those on the roads.
With the storm gaining strength, residents are advised to prepare for the worst and stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.
