Winter Storm Direct Announcements: East Massachusetts will be hardest hit, the expert says

As of 5 a.m., there were no major reports of damage or power outages across the Northeast. National Weather Service Office on Long Island – Snowfall there More than 16 inches in total Predicted in Nassau and Suffolk districts – said to have dropped an inch there as of 1am.

A blizzard warning was in effect over wide areas of the east coast. People across the region were exposed to the possibility of one day freezing temperatures, severe snowfall, treacherous travel conditions and widespread power outages.

Four hours before dawn, the National Weather Service Predicted Extreme snowstorms and strong winds are expected to create “dangerous blizzard conditions” off the coast of New England and the Mid-Atlantic on Saturday. It said it was “almost impossible” to travel in those areas amid white conditions.

The storm was expected to melt by Sunday, but not before more than a foot of snowfall along the northeast coast and two feet or more of snowfall in parts of eastern Massachusetts.

“That’s where the bull’s eye is,” said Bryce Williams, a meteorologist with the Boston Meteorological Office. Three hours later, he said, two to four inches were reported off the coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Heavy snowfall in eastern Massachusetts will move after sunrise and last until 4 p.m. Williams said parts of eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island are likely to have higher concentrations on the east coast Saturday.

Cape Cod and Nantucket Islands and the Martha’s Vineyard are likely to experience strong winds, as well as hurricane-force winds, he said. A coastal flood warning is in effect on the east coast of Massachusetts on Saturday morning.

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochlin’s emergency declaration came into effect Friday night for New York City, Long Island and the Rockland and Westchester counties. Five to 10 inches of snow is expected in the city and central Hudson region.

As the storm moved through southern New England, parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island could have whitening conditions, the meteorological service said. Two to four inches of snow per hour. Mr. According to Williams, severe snowfall and high winds will increase the likelihood of power outages, especially in the coastal areas of southeastern Massachusetts.

Air traffic was disrupted before the storm hit. Data from FlightAware, A site that monitors flights and aviation, the Boston Logan International Airport and three major airports to New York City, LaCordia, John F. Kennedy, where several canceled flights took place on Saturday. Showed that Kennedy and Newark were scheduled to depart from Liberty.

Delta Said Friday Operations at those airports will be suspended until Sunday morning and will resume on Sunday afternoon if conditions permit.

As for road conditions, Mr. of the Meteorological Service. According to Williams, snow, wind and low visibility can be very difficult for anyone planning to drive – including himself.

“If you do not need to go out, we’ll try to tell you: stay home until Sunday,” he said. “Fortunately, Sunday seems quiet, so it’s time for people to clean up and get back to normal at the beginning of the week.”