Nor’easter Hammers East Coast; 12-18 Inches Of Snow Possible

Some areas of the Northeast could be buried in more than a foot of snow by Tuesday morning from a powerful nor’easter — the first of 2021 — that is shutting down COVID-19 vaccination clinics and schools, bringing Amtrak service in the region to a standstill and canceling hundreds of flights at the region’s airports.

The massive storm is developing off the mid-Atlantic coast and taking aim at some of the most densely populated cities along the East Coast. About 110 million Americans live in its path.

The sprawling, lumbering storm is responsible for at least one death. A 67-year-old Pennsylvania woman with Alzheimer’s disease who reportedly wandered away from her home was found dead of hypothermia on an Allentown street Monday morning.

Also in Pennsylvania, a shooting that followed an argument over snow removal killed a Pennsylvania married couple, and the suspect was later found dead at his nearby home of a wound believed to have been self-inflicted, officials in Luzerne County said.

A preliminary investigation indicates the people involved had a long-running conflict, but “this morning, the dispute was exacerbated by a disagreement over snow disposal,” District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said.

The nor’easter is “pretty slow mover” and “will be a prolonged event,” Lara Pagano, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told The Associated Press.

Though the worst of the storm was expected to be over by Monday night, snowfall could linger into Tuesday, forecasters said, warning of blizzard conditions and snowfall rates that could reach 3 inches an hour. Some areas of New England could be affected through Wednesday.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday that residents should prepare for a “major, major blizzard.” He asked employers to give leeway to their workers, urged everyone to stay home and placed the city under a state of emergency. Appointments for the coronavirus vaccine were canceled, and in-person schools were moved online.

"We're looking at a long two days here," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at a virtual news conference Monday, noting that at midday, road conditions were already "seriously dangerous."

New York City could get up to 18 inches of snow, along with a light glaze of ice and pulsing gusts of wind. READ MORE:

• NYC Under State Of Emergency As Nor’Easter Blows In
• Lost, Deaf Dog Found Safe In Snowstorm

Parts of New Jersey had already received 15 inches of snow by midday Monday, with as much as 24 inches possible in some parts of the state.

"This is a big one," Gov. Phil Murphy said during his Monday news conference, telling New Jersey residents, "If you don't need to be out, don't go out."

Murphy closed all six of New Jersey's COVID vaccine megasites on Monday, and a number of other sites have also closed. He also the state is working to make sure roads are clear so vaccines can be transported. READ MORE:

• ‘This Is A Big One’: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy

National Weather Service meteorologists said Monday there was “some uncertainty” about where the heaviest bands of snow would fall in Pennsylvania.

Eastern Pennsylvania and central and Northern New Jeresy were expected to get the heaviest snowfall, with up to 9 inches possible during the day Monday. READ MORE:

• ‘Some Uncertainty’ On Heaviest Snow In Pennsylvania

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said most vaccinations scheduled for Monday would be postponed but didn’t expect any vaccine waste.

“The vaccines, kept refrigerated, are good for eight to 10 days, so that’s not a problem,” Lamont said. “And if this is three or four weeks since your first vaccination, if it gets put off a few days, don’t worry, it will still stay very effective.”

Snow was falling at a rate of about 1 to 2 inches an hour by midday Monday in Connecticut, which was expected to get a foot or more of snow. The state Department of Transportation warned of blizzard and whiteout conditions as wind gusts pick up.

In-person school was canceled across the state.

"I’d like to think there is still some virtual learning going on, with a little bit of time for sledding along the way,” Lamont, a Democrat, said at a news conference. READ MORE:

• Connecticut Expects Up To a Foot Of Snow And Ice

Forecasts calling for a foot or more of snow were common across Massachusetts, and some areas could get up to 18 inches of snow before the storm winds down Tuesday.

A winter storm warning was issued throughout the state except for the Cape and Islands, where a high wind warning is in effect. Wind gusts of 60 miles per hour are possible.

“We’re used to dealing with snow this time of year, but it’s important for folks to take this one seriously due to the heavy snowfall, the high winds, and the speed with which this snow is going to fall when it starts to come down,” Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said at a Monday news conference. READ MORE:

• Massachusetts Braces For 12+ Inches Of Snow

Hundreds of flights were canceled at the region’s major airports Monday. Transportation officials said on Twitter that 81 percent of flights were canceled at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and 75 percent at Newark Liberty Airport.

Amtrak canceled all Acela service between Boston and Washington, as well as Pennsylvanian service between New York and Pittsburgh. Amtrak’s Northeast Regional, Keystone Service and Empire Service were operating on limited or modified schedules.

All New Jersey Transit trains and buses were suspended, except for the Atlantic City Rail Line. New York Waterway ferries were suspended.

Snow and cold in Washington, D.C., led President Joe Biden to postpone a visit to the State Department that had been planned for Monday. A White House official said Sunday night that the visit would be rescheduled for later in the week when the agency’s staff and diplomats could more safely commute to attend.

Patch writers in New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed reporting.