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The season's first major winter storm made its way across the mid-Atlantic and toward the Northeast on Wednesday, with forecasters warning that some areas could see as much as two feet of snow.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) the storm system, known as Winter Storm Gail, is expected to stretch 1000 miles from northern Georgia all the way up to New England, and could result in freezing rain, strong winds and hazardous travel conditions particularly along the I-95 corridor.
In areas including New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia, the storm could prove to be the biggest in years. On Tuesday, the NWS said that over 60 million Americans on the East Coast are operating under a winter weather advisory, as the storm quickly barreled across the country.
There are currently over 60 million residents of the East Coast under winter weather advisories, watches, and warnings in anticipation of tomorrow's major winter storm, stretching nearly 1000 miles from northern Georgia north to New England. pic.twitter.com/TsQzQ3jAhz
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) December 15, 2020
By Wednesday morning, schools from Northern Virginia to New York City had closed for in-person learning. The afternoon already saw dangerous conditions in Baltimore, Virginia, and Washington D.C., with precipitation coming down as a wintry mix, AccuWeather reported.
The NWS warned that the storm may cause strong to severe thunderstorms across coastal North Carolina and west-central Florida, while areas across the Outer Banks are at risk of damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.
Further north, heavy snow will impact Boston and New York City, with each city expected to receive at least a foot of snow. The mayor of Boston declared a snow emergency and banned city parking started at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
"Boston hasn't seen a sizable snowstorm since March of 2019 — over 21 months ago. I am urging everyone to be ready and prepared," Mayor Marty Walsh said in a statement.
In New York City, snowfall began around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, and could reach up to 15 inches through Wednesday evening, AccuWeather forecasters predict.
Meanwhile, across areas from north-central Maryland to central and eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, southeastern New York and southern and central New England, a storm of "debilitating proportions and a general 12-18 inches of snow is predicted," the weather service added.
The heaviest snow is expected to blanket central and eastern Pennsylvania, as well as parts of New York state, where snowfall could reach a total of 18-24 inches.
The National Weather Service warned on Wednesday that "confidence is high that this major winter storm will result in significant impacts including travel disruptions and power outages across much of the Mid-Atlantic, southeastern New York, and southern New England."
Transportation Impacted
Flights, rail lines, and public transportation have begun shutting down or altering services throughout the Northeast as conditions worsen on Wednesday and are expected to last through Thursday.
Over 1,800 flights across the United States had been canceled on Wednesday, according to FlightAware, a digital aviation company that tracks delayed and canceled flights.
On Tuesday, Amtrak said it would alter its services throughout impacted regions, and cancel some train lines from Wednesday to Friday. The New Jersey Transit announced on Wednesday that it would be operating under a limited-service "level 2 severe weather" schedule.
The Northeast Regional train, said it will not be operating services to Boston on Wednesday, and all Acela express services have been canceled for Thursday, the New York Times reported.
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio urged New Yorkers to avoid driving in vehicles, and instead use the subway for transportation.
Interim Transit Authority President Sarah Feinberg said the MTA will not restore overnight subway service from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. – which had been altered due to the coronavirus pandemic – as the snow worsens on Thursday.
The New York City ferry will be closed on Wednesday starting at 6 p.m., in anticipation of strong winds and snow, ABC New York reported.
Across northern and central New Jersey, all bus lines will be temporarily suspended, including Trenton area and Port Authority bus service, starting at 6 p.m on Wednesday.
The state also banned commercial vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, R.V.s and some trucks from driving on several highways on Wednesday.
Elaine Chao, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, urged Americans to check in with local weather services before heading out in the storm.
"For those in the path of today's winter storm, know what's expected for your area and don't drive in dangerous conditions! Check with your local transportation officials and weather resources for the latest travel conditions," Chao tweeted Wednesday.
