WeatherFanatics: Snow Slams Chicago; To Snarl Travel NYC, Boston Next

Monday, February 17, 2014

Snow Slams Chicago; To Snarl Travel NYC, Boston Next

By Dan DePodwin, Meteorologist

February 17,2014; 9:28PM,EST

There will be no rest for the snow weary from the Midwest to East Coast as yet another quick-moving system threatens to lay down a swath of several inches of snow from the Upper Midwest to the Northeast on Monday through Tuesday.
"Even though the storm is forecast to move quickly, it will bring a moderate amount of snow or wintry mix to many communities from the Upper Midwest to the Northeast," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said, "In most cases, the storm will last six hours or less, but a few locations can receive just as many inches of snow."

@ColB tweeted: "I'd wave a white flag, but no one would see it ... "Midwest, Northeast Snow Continues Mon. & Tues." Additional Relevant Tweets and Social Media Reaction

During the afternoon hours Monday, Chicago, was slammed with blinding snow and snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour.

An onslaught of winter storms has buried much of the Northeast over the past few weeks. While this upcoming storm is not expected to be an historic event, it can snarl travel, resulting in more flight delays in a winter already full of them.
"The storm has had a history of thunder and lightning with the snow, sleet and freezing rain in Illinois and part of Indiana, which is the sign of a vigorous system and the potential for brief bursts of snow farther to the east Monday night into Tuesday," Sosnowski said.

Winter weather will extend through the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley on Monday, and a surge of milder air should allow precipitation to remain mainly rain near and south of the Ohio River.
Over the central portions of Illinois and Indiana, as well as the southern half of Ohio, enough ice can occur to weigh down trees and power lines, with the potential for sporadic power outages.
The heaviest snow Monday evening is expected to fall in Michigan, northern Indiana, northern Ohio and Southwest Ontario, where some locations may receive a half of a foot. Lengthy travel delays are not only likely to linger in Chicago, but will extend to Detroit and Cleveland during Monday evening.
Travel over the northern Ohio Valley and lower Great Lakes states will be slowed by snow and a wintry mix in some areas, including along I-70, I-71, I-75, I-79, I-80/90 and I-94.
RELATED:
Northeast Interactive Radar
AccuWeather Winter Weather Center
Risk of Falls, Accidents to Continue Well After Snowstorms Depart
The Northeast will feel the impacts of the storm during late Monday night and on Tuesday. Shovels and plows will be needed again in many areas. Portions of Pennsylvania, northern Maryland and upstate New York may experience snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour for a brief time.
The quick-hitting snowstorm has the potential to catch many motorists by surprise.
"People trying to get home from work or school Monday may get caught in heavy snow or a wintry mix in the eastern end of the Ohio Valley, cities surrounding Lake Erie, and the western slopes of the Appalachians," Sosnowski said.
Interstates 76, 80, 81, 90, 95 and 99 will turn slick for a time on Tuesday.
"The same could happen for motorists heading out early on Tuesday in eastern mid-Atlantic," Sosnowski added.
Flight delays and cancelations are anticipated for many major hubs including Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston and the three major airports around New York City.

This table appears courtesy of the National Weather Service Eastern Region Headquarters.
The snow could once again force administrators to delay or cancel school, adding to the growing list of school cancellations this winter.
The risk of roofs collapsing will increase with each snowfall event, where not enough prior melting has reduced the amount of snow. For example, as of Monday morning, Feb. 17, 2014, much of Pennsylvania has between 1 and 2 feet of snow on the ground and on roofs.

"In some cases, upcoming melting can add to the risk of roof failure in the short term," Sosnowski said, "Lingering snow can block the drainage system on flat roofs, leading to uneven weight distribution when melting occurs or when rain falls into the snow."
Most gable roofs can sustain a significant amount of snow and allow the water to settle toward the edges. However, a buildup of ice in the gutters can force water beneath the shingles along the edges.
Slippery sidewalks will remain a concern as the snow falls, and with cold nights and milder days in the wake of the snow, icy patches will develop. The new snow can hide patches of ice beneath.
For those in search of warmth, a brief break from the snow and cold is in store for the middle and end of the week.
A storm developing over the Central states late in the week may bring severe weather and flooding problems to some communities.

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