CONCORD, N.H. — Residents of New England prepared for an anticipated snowstorm by gathering both Super Bowl treats and essential groceries like bread and milk over the weekend. A surge in shopping activity was reported, especially at the Market Basket grocery store in Epping, New Hampshire, where the parking lot was filled and lengthy checkout lines formed on Saturday. Despite the storm looming, shoppers appeared calm, as the snowfall had subsided by Sunday morning, well in advance of the Super Bowl kickoff time.
According to Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster with the National Weather Service, the storm advanced from the Great Lakes region into the Northeast. It resulted in snowfall accumulations ranging from 6 to 12 inches across upstate New York and parts of New England, with Boston and New York City receiving about 3 to 5 inches. While northern regions welcomed light and powdery snow, New York City experienced heavier, wetter snow, causing blocked storm drains and icy puddles at street corners in Northern Manhattan.
As the storm progressed, Boston and New York’s airports reported an uptick in flight delays and cancellations on Sunday. Earlier in the weekend, northern and central Wisconsin experienced significant snowfall, with Medford recording 13 inches. Parts of northern Michigan also reported over six inches of snow on Saturday, according to the forecasts.
Oravec indicated that the next storm is anticipated to move swiftly as well, expected to develop across the plains on Tuesday and advance eastward. This weather pattern is likely to bring additional snowfall to regions south of those impacted by the current storm.
“Our projections indicate the possibility of heavy snowfall stretching from Kansas, moving eastward into the upper Ohio Valley, central Appalachians, and extending into the mid-Atlantic region,” he stated.
In a contrasting weather situation, the weather service issued freeze warnings for parts of south-central California and the San Francisco area on Sunday. They cautioned that the expected drop in temperatures below freezing could adversely affect crops, damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, and pose risks of hypothermia to vulnerable populations.
