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Winter storm descends on US: Millions warned of wind, snow and dangerous travel

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Winter storm descends on US: Millions warned of wind, snow and dangerous travel

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Blowing snow could prompt power outages and snarl travel across a swath of the nation Thursday as unrelenting waves of winter weather continue an assault on parts of the Midwest and East.

A powerful Arctic cold front was sweeping across the Great Lakes to the Northeast, with snow squalls accompanied by intense bursts of heavy snowfall and gusty winds that could produce “dangerous travel conditions due to whiteouts and icy roads,” the National Weather Service warned.

Almost 20 million Americans were under winter weather warnings or advisories. Almost 60 million were under wind advisories.

AccuWeather warned that blinding snow squalls could bring havoc to travelers along the I-95 corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C., although weather service maps indicated the squalls might not make it that far east. Either way, the forecast called for mixed precipation in or around the major cities. The weather service in New York warned residents to “be alert for lingering slick conditions.”

Wind gusts up to 50 mph could be strong enough to knock down tree branches and topple power lines in some areas, leading to possible power outages, the weather service warned. Drenching rain or spotty rain showers will precede the arrival of an Arctic cold front, AccuWeather said.

“Along that front and immediately behind it is where and when the snow showers and heavier snow squalls can occur,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glenny said. She warned that bridges, overpasses and elevated surfaces could be slushy and slick.

Arctic surge could bring snow squalls with a rapid freeze to major cities

Bands of heavy, lake-effect snow on Thursday were targeting southeastern shorelines throughout the Great Lakes from Wisconsin and Michigan to parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, AccuWeather said.

In the snow belt near the Great Lakes, where places such as Erie, Pennsylvania, and Fort Drum, New York, have seen multiple feet of snow in the last week, 1-2 feet more was coming, the weather service said.

“Snow showers this morning have transitioned to pure lake effect (heavy snow), impacting areas across the primary & secondary snowbelts,” the weather service office in Cleveland posted on social media. “Strong wind gusts will result in blowing snow & reduced visibilities, impacting travel. If you must travel, allow plenty of time.”

Parts of New England were getting their first significant snow of the season. The weather service reported 7 inches of snow had already fallen early Thursday in parts of central and western Massachusetts and Connecticut.

In Princeton, Mass., 60 miles northwest of Boston, Wachusett Mountain Ski Area opened for the first time this season.

Boston was receiving its first measurable snow, although it measured less than an inch early Thursday. The wet snow, mixed with rain in some places, made for a messy morning commute. Some school districts closed for the day or delayed openings.

Map shows winter storm warnings, wind advisories

According to AccuWeather, the snowy dangers of Thursday’s storm will be farther-reaching compared to the recent round of lake-effect snow, where impacts were primarily confined to areas closer to the Great Lakes. “Snow showers and intense snow squalls can extend hundreds of miles away from the lakes, including highways near major cities,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

Contributing: Doyle Rice

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