Boston, Massachusetts – Snow is intensifying along the I-95 corridor this afternoon as a rapidly strengthening Nor’easter begins to shut down travel from Washington, D.C., to coastal Maine, with snowfall rates reaching 2 to 3 inches per hour and wind gusts as high as 70 mph.
According to the National Weather Service, nearly 54 million people are under Winter Storm or Blizzard Warnings from the central Appalachians through southeastern New England. As the storm explosively strengthens late Sunday and peaks Monday morning, blizzard conditions are expected from Maryland’s Eastern Shore through Boston. Winds between 40 and 70 mph will drive heavy snow into whiteout conditions, especially along exposed highways and coastal routes.
Philadelphia, New York City and Boston will see the most dangerous conditions overnight into Monday morning, with blowing snow sharply reducing visibility. Officials warn that major interstates including I-95, I-80 and I-90 could become impassable at times. Coastal New Jersey through eastern Massachusetts may see 12 to 24 inches of storm-total snowfall by Monday evening.
Travel should be avoided during the height of the storm. Residents should charge devices, prepare for scattered power outages and stay off roads until conditions improve Monday afternoon as the system rapidly pulls away.
Meanwhile, a separate threat builds along the West Coast. A strong atmospheric river arrives in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California on Monday, bringing heavy rain to already saturated ground. Forecasters warn isolated flash flooding could develop as rainfall intensifies along the coast. Additional advisories are likely on both coasts as impacts unfold.
