A powerful snowstorm wreaks havoc across the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, resulting in widespread power outages and significant travel disruptions. The storm, which has left a path of destruction across the U.S., brings heavy snow, rain, and strong winds to major cities, forcing school closures and government office shutdowns.
The National Weather Service reports substantial snowfall, ranging from 1 to 2 feet in parts of the Northeast. Grey, Maine, records over 17 inches of snow by Thursday evening, as whiteout conditions and snow-covered roads make travel treacherous.
Maine Governor Janet Mills urges caution on the roads, advising residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to give way to emergency responders, snowplows, and utility crews. Despite expectations that the heaviest snowfall will diminish by Thursday night, ongoing snow showers and wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph in New England could persist into the weekend, exacerbating hazardous travel conditions.
Flood advisories are issued across a wide swath of territory, stretching from Illinois to Rhode Island, including major metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C., and New York City. New Jersey reports over 3 inches of rainfall by Thursday morning. The storm also impacts the Great Lakes region, with Wisconsin and Michigan experiencing significant snowfall.
At present, weather advisories are in effect for western states such as California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, warning of potent winds, coastal rainfall, and mountain snowfall at elevated altitudes. A weather front moving across the northern High Plains and Great Basin regions is expected to linger over the Sierra Nevada Mountains through Saturday, with snowfall predicted in the Rockies throughout the weekend.
Despite the challenges posed by the storm, authorities remain vigilant, urging residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure safety amid the adverse weather conditions.
