By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist
January 22,2016; 12:40PM,EST
Follow live updates of the storm here.
The Blizzard of 2016 will continue to evolve and shut down travel into Saturday from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia and New York City, with some areas of the mid-Atlantic bracing for 1-3 feet of snow and strong winds.
According to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams, "This will be a rare event for the region as there are not many storms that bring a foot or more of snow over such a large area and last more than 24 hours."
Be prepared for lengthy power outages, immobilization
Winds and the rate of snowfall will increase as the storm strengthens. Massive drifts will develop, where sleet and rain do not mix in. Gusts along the mid-Atlantic coast will frequent 45-50 mph.
An all-out blizzard will unfold from northern Virginia to southwestern Connecticut. Periodic whiteout conditions will occur farther west from south-central Pennsylvania to part of western North Carolina.
Snowfall rates from New Jersey to Virginia and West Virginia will be 1-3 inches per hour at times. Thunder and lightning could accompany the heavy snow in some locations.
In some communities, roads could be blocked and the power could be out for days.
Multiple state officials have declared a state of emergency and are urging people to stay off the roads or risk being stranded during the storm.
RELATED:
Northeast US interactive weather radar
LIVE updates on the storm
AccuWeather winter weather center
The storm is likely to shut down major highways from Interstate 81 to I-95 and from I-78 to I-85. Multiple airports may close. Multiple airlines have already cancelled flights and announced travel waivers for flights affected by the storm in the eastern United States. Mass transit in multiple cities will be stopped or severely limited.
Factoring in strong winds and other conditions, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures at the height of the storm will be in the single digits in many areas. The conditions will raise the risk of hypothermia for those who are stuck outside and not properly dressed.
In Atlantic shoreline communities, as well as along the back bays and sounds from New York to Virginia, strong onshore winds will cause tides to run 2-4 feet above normal.
The flooding will be made worse by high astronomical tides related to the full moon. Large waves will pound the beaches. The worst conditions will be from New Jersey to eastern Maryland.
Snow to bury metro areas from DC to Philadelphia, NYC
Areas from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., to near Philadelphia can expect an all-out blizzard with snowfall averaging 12-24 inches.
From northern Virginia to eastern West Virginia and northern Maryland, a general 2-3 feet of snow will fall.
A distance of less than 50 miles could bring snowfall ranging from an inch or less to more than a foot.
The New York City metro area will receive up to a foot of snow with blizzard conditions at times.
Heavy snow is still likely right along the southern coast of New England with enough snow to shovel and plow from Hartford, Connecticut, to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Up to a few inches of snow may fall in the Boston area.
Travel impact to extend beyond the heart of the storm
Ripple effects from the storm will reach airports across the nation as flights and crews are displaced in the East.
Along with the northern edge of the heavy snow, winds will be significantly less well north and west of the storm center.
Travel may be slippery from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh and Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, but the impacts will pale in comparison to areas farther south and east.
Tom Waeghe ·
Couldn't
happen to a "nicer" POS POTUS and federal government. I hope they get
buried from all the globull warming and Climate change! Ha-ha-ha-ha.
Oh, the federal government will be quite shut down when your friends
arrive...
William Smith ·
I
think this blizzard is Mother Nature's middle finger to these
socialists in our government with their climate change bills and
cap-and-trade socialism Solyndra schemes.
Doc T Matthews ·
Just in from accuweather snow storm going to miss notheasr... thank god lol
Jimmy Hendricks ·
This
is really going to be an Historic event. Final call is 34.6 Inches in
Philly it's time to nowcast and watch the radar and this thing truly
explode.
Andrew White
Despite the weather media dying to somehow make this about NY/NJ, it's VA/MD/WV that's going to take the brunt of it.
Jerry Brown ·
Private
media focus is on major markets to maximize profits. You really don't
think fairness would ever be considered do you? Go to weather.gov if you want fairness.
William Smith ·
Don't
be so sure of that.They were forecasting 2-3 FEET of snow for NYC last
January 27 and it missed us and hit Boston instead.We got just 9 or 10
inches,which is significant in and of itself,but not the 2-3 FEET that
they hyped that thing up to be for this area.Just saying take these
predictions with a grain of salt and get ready for some snow but don't
just take it as gospel that these snowfall predictions are going to hit
right on the money. Maybe they will,but don't treat it as gospel until
this storm actually hits tonight and tomorrow.
Corey Robbins ·
I hear the desert is going to be dry this year!
Ann McNamara Weinerth ·
As Joe R said- it's winter. I've noticed it too for 61 years. Winter's funny like that....
Joe Ruggiero ·
It's
winter and it snows in winter. Hey, spring is the next season then
summer, (hot) then fall, then winter again... Just goes on and on like
this.
Joe Ruggiero ·
I've noticed this the past 51 winters I've been around.
Amit Apollo Barman ·
Times like this when I can work from home, I'm glad I became a software engineer!
Steven Leiphart ·
Generator and UPS's... or would that be UPI?
Angela Bridgman ·
We
moved to North Carolina a little over a year ago...to GET AWAY FROM
THIS STUFF!! Could be worse, I suppose, could be back in
Pennsylvania...
Gene Abelow ·
I live in the eastern panhandle so I'm afraid I'll get 2-3 feet.
Kathy Mechan ·
There
wouldn't be a problem if DOT in those areas acknowledged that winter
can and often actually does hit them, and be prepared with salt, sand
and enough decent plows.
And the residents in those areas should maybe put snow tires on... because, you know...just in case.
And the residents in those areas should maybe put snow tires on... because, you know...just in case.
Robin Rosner
Even where it snows and we have winter...we at least have all season tires!
Kathy Mechan ·
Robin Rosner The name "All Seasons" is misleading.
They generally aren't meant for snow.
They generally aren't meant for snow.
Roland Estrada ·
Robin
Rosner All seasons are made for everything except Snow, pouring rain,
cold temperatures, and hot temperatures. So basically 60% of the time
they work everytime.
Bill Arcand ·
Here
in Boston. almost one year to the day, we were hearing the same thing
as we are today. We are going to miss the brunt of the storm and from NY
and further south will get slammed. well, didn't quite work out that
way, as we got nailed with 2', which was the first of 4 storms of 20" of
more in a 3 week span. I think I'll wait until Monday to believe the
"experts" this time
John Stow ·
It's
just snow, people, get a grip. Some may lose power because of the wind
and some may not be able to drive anywhere until Sunday or Monday. It is
not as bad as you think or as bd as these idiots below make it sound.
Stay inside on Saturday and clean the house. Relax everyone.
Kathy Mechan ·
Agreed.
Much of today's media is geared around sensationalism and fear mongering.
Unfortunately, even the weather shows have decided they need to keep everyone scared/anxious, to get higher ratings.
This tends to have two effects on their viewers--anxiety or apathy.
Neither of which is desirable.
Unless it's truly a dangerous weather event like tornadoes, hurricane or huge blizzard, just give us the facts.
Much of today's media is geared around sensationalism and fear mongering.
Unfortunately, even the weather shows have decided they need to keep everyone scared/anxious, to get higher ratings.
This tends to have two effects on their viewers--anxiety or apathy.
Neither of which is desirable.
Unless it's truly a dangerous weather event like tornadoes, hurricane or huge blizzard, just give us the facts.
Roland Estrada ·
Kathy
Mechan I love how nothing else around the world seems to be going
anymore according to the news. Only the snow is covered 24/7 and it's
given witty names like Snowmaggedon and Snowpocalypse just to make it
sound that much more scary and get everyone to spend $1000 at the
grocery store.
Kenneth Pratt ·
Read
the difference between a blizzard and a gently-falling snow. This
blizzard zone impacts 20 million people in the NYC metro area alone,
plus Philly, Balto, DC. At the heght of a blizzard all emergency
services are curtailed, so these people will be on their own. At least
wish them well.
Dianna Gould
I
was born and raised in WNY...I lived on the lake just about my whole
life...My family was hit by the 7 ft. that dropped on Buffalo not to
long ago..My Husband and I just relocated about 45 min north west of
Philidelphia...I am so shocked listening to how everyone is reacting to
this storm here! Co workers stressing and not wanting to drive in any
snow, bosses making back up plans, people shopping like they will be
stranded for days....36" of snow will not keep you stranded in your
house days on end! When you have snow touching your roof like buffalo
had, then I would worry. Having 2-3 ft of snow and high wind was normal
for me. I'm not too worried...However, I can understand te stress if
they are not used to it I guess.
Donna McClish ·
Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow.
Peter Placchi ·
I
moved fom Annapolis Md. to Tucson Az. in July. Just in time. 77
tomorrow and 70 on Sat. going to high 60's Sun. Power will be out in my
old house in Md.
Anita Alente ·
Works at Model
Why
are these Twitter idiots writing these "articles"? "The rate of snow
and travel conditions will trend progressively worse farther to the
southwest." Trend is not a god damned verb, no matter how many times
your online BS dictionaries say it is. The correct way to say it would
have been "The rate of snow and travel conditions will progressively
worsen further to the southwest."
Jason Smith
She's
not being mean, just accurate. Would you tell a judge to be "nicer" to a
rapist? For, good sir, these abusers of our tongue are criminals OF A
SORT, and unless confronted without quarter, they will proliferate!
Kathy Mechan ·
The English language is being butchered ...totally annoying.
Point it out and risk being put down as a grammar/spelling Nazi.
So the educated/intelligent stay mostly silent, while the idiots make things up as they go...and everybody else apparently follows.
Point it out and risk being put down as a grammar/spelling Nazi.
So the educated/intelligent stay mostly silent, while the idiots make things up as they go...and everybody else apparently follows.
Kyle Storjohann
Maybe
you just need to be more open-minded about language. Don't get me
wrong, their are certain mistakes that I can't overlook (see what I
mean), but I'm sure you can understand that our language is constantly
evolving, and that means that the use and meaning of certain words can
change over time. If the word "trend" is trending towards verb than so
be it. It's not really up to you to decide. Or would you prefer that we
all still speak in shakespearean prose?
Bill Oberloh ·
Kathy
Mechan which part is being butchered? The english, german, spanish,
yiddish, vietnamese, canadian, chinese, ?And if you speak professional
politician, you can talk for 20 minutes and never actually tell us
anything
Joshua Wade ·
I live in Owensboro and may not be in the greatest threat area of the big winter storm, but I still hope I'll be okay.
Paul Berger ·
Al
Roker now calling for 5-8". NOAA, 6-10". I really don't think the Big
Apple will be immobilized even with the wind. Let us see how this plays
out.
King Cobra
Sorry
but you heard or saw that wrong.what roker really said was 5-8 feet of
snow,that was followed up by NOAA who says their model shows 6-10
feet.This is going to be some kind of storm pardner,you better buy a cow
tonight just to be sure you have enough milk,tmrw will be too late
those cows will be under 6 feet of snow.
Bruce Steifman
King Cobra what's with this milk business? haven't had milk since i was an infant.........
Dan Beiswenger ·
King Cobra Jesus christ. 5-8 feet? I really hope you're joking. New York will MAYBE get a foot.
Robert M. Powell ·
Works at Retired
King Cobra That's INCHES ("), not feet (').
Dennis Forsythe
Bruce Steifman
Then beer scotch vodka and brandy oops do not forget whiskey
Got to keep warm.
Then beer scotch vodka and brandy oops do not forget whiskey
Got to keep warm.
Yulogo Gaming ·
I
am not scared. I am taking a vacation day off tommorow from work to
prepare, and I guess I will stay locked up all weekend. I live in
Northern New Jersey.
Jack Cusatis ·
only problem with that is the storm is not going to hit until late Friday. you will have a lost day for nothing.
Louis Saccone ·
what
direction is the storm heading eastnorth east or up the coast line
about 100miles east of new jeresy then southern new england will get
hit hard they still dont know yet .
Cyndi Fritter Hawthorne ·
Take
the chairs off the deck, get ready to shovel a "snowload" overboard...
but fight the temptation to jump into the new 8 foot drift! If it turns
wet and heavy on Saturday, be careful shoveling on Sunday; a sore back
could be the least of your worries. Be safe and enjoy the snow! I love
it!!
Michael Croune ·
Bernie, Bernie, Bernie smile emoticon
Joey Orton ·
This is the north east not Flordia. When did we become such wimps about snow that 3-6" scares everyone?
John Ray
Jerry
Waller Maximum could be 18." If 18 inches of snow falls in Washington,
D.C., then it would eclipse the "Blizzard of 1996" and the
"Snowmageddon Storm" of Feb. 5-6, 2010. Source: accuweather.com 1/20/2016.
Nevis Thiagaraj ·
God will protect us.
Tom Jorgensen
God is too busy right now, watching children in Africa starve to death.
Richard Schmoyer ·
Tom
Jorgensen .and hopefully God is helping allay the effects of lead
poisoning for hordes of American children who are unlucky enough to
reside in Flint Michigan, a former manufacturing center whose hollowed
out economy has left behind thousdands of poor individauls and
families.The city lost its safe water supply because some politicians
wanted ot save a couple of hundred thousand dollars by switching from
Lake Huron water to polutted river water.God can't do much about the
corrective costs that loom in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but
perhaps he can help make sure that the children who drank the dirty
,leaded water will come out of this OK..
King Cobra
I
dont get it.What makes adults act like overly excited 6 year olds at
every approaching storm.you must realize by now that these end of life
as we know it snow storms are 90% weather hype and nothing they say will
ever actually materialize.Already the 24 plus inch total snow areas
have shrunk to half that size in the last 24 hours.Now the big drama to
keep you locked on is What is going to happen in new york,CT,and
Boston.Will there be a couple of inches or will we all perish in a white
wall of death.
Howard Goldberg
Nah...you
do not understand the passion of a meteorologist or any scientist for
that matter. Of course, we meteorologists act like 6 year olds (you are
giving us too much credit...LOL) when a stoem is coming. It is one of
the great passions of our lives and I am sure even Einstein was giddy
when he finally formulated general relativity. Best wishes and be safe.
Dara Gray ·
Works at Montgomery County Public Schools
Because, it's fun to have the excitement of a child. Snow brings such a calm and finds kindness in people.
Lesley Turnbull ·
Works at Animal Rescue
I
don't know where you are Cobra, but I am in Va. and the last forcast I
got from abc's sister channel news 8 had the snow up to 24-36 inches. I
am stuck in a raggedy old wood park trailer, next to no insulation, only
two 1500 watt electric heat heaters for warmth. I have a disabled
senior husband to worry about --no generator, and I am surrounded by
rotten dead trees that do not seem to worry the groundsman even though i
have six or so dead branches on my roof even now. Our water pump froze
on Tues. so we had no water for 24 hours. They are also taling about
winds 30-50 mph tomorrow. Gee, do you think I should worry. Did I
mention we have no where else to go to weather out this storm? Go a bit
easy on some of us, huh?
Suzanne Liuzzo ·
Dear GOD Praying for YOU to HELP & PROTECT YOUR PEOPLE Amen smile emoticon In JESUS PRECIOUS NAME I ASK & PRAY ~Amen~
Joy Fondevilla Wolfe ·
Im
so excited that my husband is coming home tomorrow from Benin, here in
San Diego Airport, then he call me that his flight was canceled
because of the weather here in US. he ask me if its true. He want to go
home so bad to see me and his kids. Now he has to wait for another at
least 3 days and to re scheduled his flight again.
I feel sorry for Alex Sosnowski having to read some of these posts...
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