Millions Brace for Powerful Nor'easter with NYC Under Its First Blizzard Warning in Nine Years
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for New York City, New Jersey, and coastal communities along the East Coast as a late-winter storm approaches, poised to severely disrupt the start of the new week. This marks the first blizzard warning for New York City in nine years, heightening concerns for millions of residents.
Forecasters Upgrade Storm Severity Assessment
Forecasters have significantly upgraded their assessment of the storm's potential severity, having projected a less ferocious impact just days earlier. They now anticipate between one to two feet (30 and 61 centimetres) of snow in many areas, with blizzard warnings in effect for New York City, Long Island, southern Connecticut, and coastal regions of New Jersey and Delaware. Flooding is also a possibility in parts of New York and New Jersey, adding to the hazards.
Timeline and Impact of the Winter Storm
The storm is expected to begin quietly on Sunday, potentially with rainfall in some locations, before intensifying. The heaviest snowfall is forecast for Sunday night, with some areas experiencing up to 5 centimetres (two inches) of snow per hour, before tapering off by Monday afternoon. The weather service warned that steady winds of between 40 and 56 kilometres per hour (25-35 mph) would "make travel dangerous, if not impossible," adding that "scattered downed tree limbs and power outages possible due to snow load and strong winds."
Official Warnings and Public Safety Measures
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to take precautions, stating on X: "Snow starts Sunday morning, intensifies at night, and will make the Monday morning commute extremely dangerous. Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. If you can stay home, stay home." This impending weather event arrives just as the icy remnants of a snowstorm that struck the region weeks prior were finally melting away, compounding the challenges for infrastructure and emergency services.
Satellite Imagery and Broader Regional Impact
Stunning satellite footage shows the huge winter storm gripping the United States, highlighting its vast scale and intensity. The blizzard warnings extend beyond New York City to include Long Island, southern Connecticut, and coastal areas of New Jersey and Delaware, indicating widespread disruption across the Northeast. Residents are advised to prepare for potential power outages, hazardous travel conditions, and possible flooding in low-lying areas.
