Northeast Endures Its Initial Major Snowstorm with Intense Accumulations

Post by : Mara Rahim

On Tuesday, the Northeast braved its first substantial snowstorm of the winter season, unleashing heavy snow, fierce winds, and treacherous roads from Pennsylvania to Maine. Meanwhile, the Midwest was recovering from a post-Thanksgiving cold snap. Numerous winter storm warnings and advisories were issued in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, and New York, with snow beginning to accumulate steadily before dawn. Northern New England is anticipated to receive up to 10 inches of snow, leaving forecasters wary of varying conditions—some areas may see rain, while others face rapid snow accumulation.

This storm developed following a record-breaking weekend at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, which saw over 8 inches of snow, surpassing the previous November single-day record set in 1951. Although snowfall in the Great Lakes region has lessened, this new system gained strength as it pushed eastward, increasing the likelihood of near-foot-high accumulations across the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Orrison pointed out that this marks a significant start to the snowfall season, affecting hundreds of flights.

Meteorologists clarified that winter—spanning December to February—is used for consistent climate records, contrasting with the astronomical winter observed on most calendars.

In Maine, coastal regions were under storm warnings from Tuesday morning to Wednesday. The National Weather Service urged residents to avoid travel whenever possible. Numerous schools and government offices closed in many Northeast areas due to the early snowfall. In upstate New York, various school districts canceled classes anticipating six inches or more of snow. New Hampshire playfully engaged residents with its second annual “name-a-plow” contest, bringing some light-heartedness to the storm.

Ohio and Pennsylvania experienced particularly perilous travel conditions. Winter weather advisories remained in force in Ohio as southern counties recorded 3 to 5 inches of snowfall. Incidents due to slick roads included closures on sections of I-70 west of Cleveland. Traffic in Columbus crawled amid poor visibility.

Pennsylvania geared up for a complete snow cleanup day, with snow covering early Tuesday, impeding drivers along Interstate 78 and other critical highways. Crews began prep work on the 565-mile Pennsylvania Turnpike system prior to dawn, instituting restrictions on several eastern interstates. Over 600 maintenance operators and safety staff were deployed to manage the 2,900 miles of Turnpike lanes. Agency representative Marissa Orbanek stated, “We genuinely prepare for snow year-round.”

Initially a weaker system over central U.S., the storm intensified as it approached coastal areas. Ashton Robinson Cook from the NWS Weather Prediction Center noted that while such storms are rare, they are not necessarily unexpected. Forecasters additionally raised alerts that another winter system could impact the mid-Atlantic later in the week, prolonging this season's debut of winter conditions.

This inaugural snowstorm of the winter has led to travel interruptions, flight delays, school shutdowns, and dangerous road conditions throughout the Northeast. Residents are advised to prioritize safety, limit travel, and heed local weather notifications as the wintry weather persists.