Major Snowstorm Invading the Northeast

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

December 26,2012; 8:38PM,EST

For real-time updates on the major snowstorm invading more of the eastern Great Lakes and Northeast, please visit this news story. See pictures from the storm: Photos: Major Winter Storm Continues To Whiten US

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A major snowstorm that brought Little Rock its snowiest Christmas in 86 years will continue to invade the eastern Great Lakes and Northeast through Thursday.

Far more potent than the snow event that whitened the Northeast just in time for Christmas, this storm is unloading windswept and burying snow on its northwestern flank.

See Also:
East Enduring Major Post-Christmas Winter Storm
Photos: Major Winter Storm Continues To Whiten US

More than a foot of snow will bury places from around Lake Erie to the interior Northeast.
Cities in line to receive at least or more than a foot of snow include Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, Burlington and Caribou.
The same can be said for the neighboring Canadian cities of Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City.
While great news for children and those wishing their communities to turn into a winter wonderland around Christmas, the snowstorm is creating a nightmare for travelers.
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Several inches of snow will alone make driving treacherous. Winds severely blowing and drifting the snow around will only worsen the situation by dramatically reducing visibility and further clogging roads.
Airline passengers in the path of the snowstorm should prepare for lengthy delays and cancellations.
Where the snow is preceded by rain, a greater danger lurks for motorists as rapidly falling temperatures will also cause any wet spots to turn icy.
Areas east of the storm's track--toward the Northeast's coast--will be faced with soaking rain, capable of causing urban and flash flooding. Strong, gusty winds may lead to coastal flooding and damage along the Northeast coast.

In between the rain and snow, an icy mix (which in some cases will eventually transition to rain) is expected across central Pennsylvania, the Hudson Valley and the I-95 corridor of the Northeast into tonight.

This news story has more details of the rain, wind and coastal flooding that also threatens the Northeast from this major winter storm.