Historic Blizzard to Shut Down Major Northeast Cities Including New York, Philadelphia, Boston
A variable message road sign warning drivers not to travel due to the blizzard
A powerful “bomb cyclone” is on target to blast the Northeast, bringing heavy snow, high winds with 60 mph guests, and life-threatening blizzard conditions, to the I-95 corridor. New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia are under Blizzard Warnings as heavy snow rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour create total whiteouts and power outages. Forecasters are predicting accumulations of as much as 2’ (61 cm) of the white stuff in some areas
A bomb cyclone, known among climate scientists as “bombogenesis,” is a fast-developing storm that occurs when atmospheric pressure drops at least 24 millibars over a 24-hour period, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says on its website.
“A major winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast that may cause impossible travel conditions and power outages. Blizzard conditions are possible along coastal areas from the DelMarVa Peninsula through southeastern New England.
In New York City, which is expected to get hit especially hard, city streets will be closed to “non-essential vehicular traffic” from 9 p.m. (21:00) Sunday to noon (12:00) on Monday, the city’s mayor said in a midday press conference. Hizzoner also said that public schools would be closed on Monday. The move marks the Big Apple’s first traditionalsnow day since 2019, the mayor noted.
Boston, which is expecting as much as 2’ (61 cm) of snow as well, instituted a parking ban on major roadways starting Sunday at 2 p.m. local time after Mayor Michelle Wu declared a snow emergency. The mayor announced that all public schools will be closed on Monday and that all school extra-curricular activities Sunday evening and Monday afternoon and evening would be cancelled. In addition,
“Boston is looking to face down yet another winter storm this season and one that is looking like it will be of historic proportions,” she said.
In the city, people will have 48 hours to use a space saver at the end of a snow emergency. When that time elapses, items must be removed from the street. Space savers are banned in the South End and Bay Village.
In Boston, the use of “space savers,” i.e. cones, chairs, or trash cans among other large items, to reserve a shoveled-out parking spot is a tradition enshrined in the law, albeit only authorized during a declared snow emergency and only for up to 48 hours after it ends. The practice is prohibited in the South End and Bay Village. Moving someone else’s space saver(s) can cause great conflict and drama with neighbors.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
