BOSTON — Residents across the East Coast are preparing for a significant snowfall on Sunday, which will be followed by dangerously low temperatures impacting regions from the Northern Plains to Maine.
Winter storm warnings from the National Weather Service have already taken effect for various areas in the Mid-Atlantic, extending through Monday morning. Snowfall projections indicate that some regions could see as much as half a foot (15 centimeters) of snow. In New England, warnings will initiate Sunday afternoon, with parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut potentially receiving up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of snow.
Meteorologist Marc Chenard from the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland, forecasts that around 70 million people could be affected by winter storm hazards in the following days. Key cities such as Philadelphia, New York, and Boston are expected to receive several inches of snow Sunday evening, with the most substantial accumulations occurring in areas outside the major urban centers.
Chenard advised that hazardous driving conditions will develop along the Interstate 95 corridor from Washington, D.C., extending northward. He also warned that untreated roads could remain treacherous by Monday morning.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams encouraged residents to rely on public transportation during the storm to facilitate snow-clearing efforts. He mentioned that those in need of assistance with heating or frozen pipes should call 311, and he urged neighbors to check on one another given the forecast of extreme cold.
“Tomorrow brings cold temperatures and high winds, which could pose dangers,” Adams stated during a Saturday press briefing. “We need to look out for each other, ensuring that our pets and community members are safe during this severe weather.”
The National Weather Service also noted the potential for snow showers Sunday afternoon and evening in western New York. This coincides with an NFL playoff game where the Buffalo Bills will host the Baltimore Ravens at 6:30 p.m. Heavier lake-effect snow is expected in the region from Monday through Wednesday morning, with some areas along Lake Ontario, including Oswego, forecasted to receive between 2 to 3 feet (about 60 to 90 centimeters) of snow.
In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for all 21 counties in the state. A winter storm warning is also in effect for the northern counties, anticipating 6 to 8 inches of snow from Sunday afternoon through late evening. Local municipalities are establishing warming centers to help shelter residents from the harsh cold in the coming days.
The snow is merely the initial phase of a tumultuous week of weather ahead.
Much of the eastern United States is expected to face some of the chilliest temperatures this winter, if not in several years. Beginning Sunday and continuing into the week, conditions from the Rockies to the Northern Plains will see significantly below-average temperatures, plunging to as low as minus 30 degrees F (minus 34 degrees C) to minus 55 F (minus 48 degrees C). In some parts of North Dakota and Minnesota, wind chills have already been recorded as low as minus 40 F (minus 40 C). These extreme conditions are projected to creep southward, affecting places as far down as Oklahoma and the Tennessee Valley.
The anticipated frigid weather for Monday in Washington, D.C., was significant enough to prompt President-elect Donald Trump to relocate his inaugural ceremony indoors at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. “Monday will definitely be a cold day in Washington, D.C.,” Chenard emphasized, noting temperatures will be in the 20s with gusty winds reaching up to 30 mph (48 kph).
This latest cold snap correlates with a disruption of the polar vortex, which typically confines cold air around the North Pole. As this frigid air spreads south and east, central and eastern parts of the U.S. can still expect very low temperatures, with highs remaining confined to the teens and 20s, lows in the single digits, and some areas dropping below zero degrees F (minus 18 C), with wind chills also dipping to below zero.
Beginning early in the week, these cold temperatures will extend into the South, potentially affecting around 30 million people with a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. This unusual weather pattern is projected to affect areas from Texas down to northern Florida and into the Carolinas. The initial impacts are expected to start in Texas on Monday night, moving across the Gulf Coast and Southeast through Tuesday and Wednesday.
The convergence of cold air with a low-pressure system situated over the Gulf is responsible for the storm which could result in heavy snow just south of Interstate 20, affecting northern Louisiana and extending into Mississippi. In addition, a mix of precipitation could unfold near the Interstate 10 corridor, stretching from Houston to Mobile, Alabama.
In anticipation of the hazardous weather, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency on Saturday, urging residents to prepare and stay informed on weather updates.
