Boston, Massachusetts – A winter storm sweeping through the Midwest and Northeast is expected to bring a dangerous mix of snow, sleet, and ice, causing flight delays, road hazards, and potential power outages. Over 84 million people are under winter storm alerts, with up to a foot of snow expected in some parts of the Northeast by Sunday morning.
The National Weather Service is warning of hazardous travel conditions, snow-covered roads, and possible power outages due to low visibility and slippery roads. The storm has already caused the cancellation of over 2,200 flights within, into, or out of the US, with more cancellations anticipated.
As the storm moves eastward, areas in the Upper Great Lakes could see up to 8 inches of snow by Saturday night, while upstate New York and southern New England may experience up to a foot of snow by Sunday morning. Ohio Valley and the northern Mid-Atlantic are forecasted to see a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, warning of dangerous travel conditions and activating emergency protocols to ensure swift road treatment and deliveries of essential supplies. The storm system is expected to hit the Midwest first, followed by significant snowfall in the Northeast and icy conditions in the Appalachians.
The storm’s timing, coinciding with Super Bowl weekend, poses a challenge for travelers heading to New Orleans, with major airports in hubs like Chicago and Detroit preparing for possible delays and cancellations. While New Orleans enjoys mild weather with temperatures in the low 80s, dense fog near the airport may complicate arrivals.
The active weather pattern, attributed to the positioning of the jet stream, is expected to lead to several more storms next week, bringing Arctic blasts and below-average temperatures to the Northeast. Meteorologists anticipate an active February for winter weather, with new storms forecasted until a potential shift in the jet stream in the second half of February.