Blizzard 2015: Things to know
The busy Northeast corridor prepared for a winter wallop that was expected to bring up to 2 feet of snow from northern New Jersey all the way up to Massachusetts. Here's what residents of the big cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic need to know about the coming storm:
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SNOWSTORM VS. BLIZZARD: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for a huge swath of the region, meaning potential white-out conditions as heavy snow swirls amid gusting wind. The weather service says a blizzard includes sustained or frequent wind gusts of 35 mph or greater and considerable falling snow that lasts for at least three hours. This storm is expected to last up to 36 hours in some locations, forecasters said.
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HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
Conditions are expected to be severe starting early Monday evening for much of the Tri-State area, and that will likely continue through much of Tuesday, when Boston will also see heavy snowfall and high winds. The large storm system has the potential to stall on the coast before heading out to see, which is why there is the potential for such heavy snowfall totals.
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AIR TRAVEL
Airlines canceled 2,194 flights Monday, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware. More than 2,000 additional flights have been scrapped for Tuesday. More than 1,400 flights in the New York area alone scheduled for Monday were preemptively canceled. More than 20 percent of flights in Boston and Philadelphia we canceled.
Most major airlines are allowing customers whose flights are canceled in the next few days to book new flights without paying a penalty. Customers ticketed on flights to dozens of Eastern airports are generally eligible for the allowance, though specific terms vary by airline.
If you are traveling, you should check with your carrier for your flight's status.
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ON THE RAILS
Amtrak was operating a normal schedule Monday, but said it would re-evaluate as conditions warrant. It said announcements about service changes would be made as far in advance as possible, but it also encouraged passengers to watch the weather closely. It said there are likely to be numerous delays.
Commuter rail systems are also facing a likely shutdown starting Monday evening, especially in New York City.
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ON THE ROADS
Connecticut issued a state-wide travel ban, which will go into effect at 9 p.m. ET. Other states may follow with bans focused on the places where snowfall is expected to be heavy. Mayors and governors up and down the East Coast have been urging residents to take public transportation instead of driving, and to go home early Monday if they must drive.
Officials in all affected states have expressed the likelihood that major roadways will be shut down Monday evening.
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NEW YORK
Up to 2 feet of snow was predicted, with the heaviest snow falling from about midnight Monday through Tuesday afternoon. Winds will be strongest across eastern Long Island. About half the flights Monday at the region's three major airports were canceled.
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BOSTON
A blizzard warning will be in effect from 7 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Wednesday, with about 20 to 30 inches of snow forecast for the city and its suburbs. Near-hurricane force winds were predicted for Cape Cod and the nearby islands.
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HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
From 20 to 30 inches of snow was predicted, including snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour at some points Monday night or Tuesday morning.
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PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
Accumulations of around 20 to 30 inches were expected with locally higher amounts possible, plus blizzard conditions that include damaging winds and considerable drifting and blowing snow.
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PHILADELPHIA
Snow was falling Monday morning, but the storm was expected to being in earnest later Monday. About a foot of snow was expected before the storm ends about 6 p.m. Tuesday, with less to the west and more in New Jersey toward the coast.
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WASHINGTON-BALTIMORE
Snow was expected end by midday Tuesday, with about 1 to 2 inches accumulating in Washington and 2 to 5 inches in Baltimore.