Northeast Braces for Nasty Storm
February 8, 2013
The first snowflakes of what could be a massive winter storm began falling on New England this morning. The storm was expected to lash an area from New York City to Maine with wind gusts up to 75 miles (120 kilometers) per hour and potential snowfalls of 3 feet (1 meter). Up to 8 million people could be affected. “This is going to be a dangerous winter storm,” said Alan Dunham, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Taunton, Massachusetts, told The Washington Post. “Wherever you need to get to, get there by Friday afternoon and don’t plan on leaving.”
(Credit: © Colin McPherson, Corbis)
As New Englanders scrambled to stock up on food, gasoline, and other supplies, airlines cut more than 3,700 flights and hundreds of schools canceled classes. Amtrak suspended service northboard out of Pennsylvania Station in New York City and southbound out of Boston. Officials in Boston, which could get 2 to 3 feet of snow, announced that the city’s mass transit system would cease operations at 3:30 this afternoon. Meteorolgists were forecasting 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) of snow for New York City and a threat of flooding in coastal areas battered by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. The storm was expect to peak early Saturday morning, though the effects of the blizzard, including impassable streets and power failures, could linger.
Additional World Book articles:
- Snow
- The Forecast: Better Weather Prediction Ahead (a special report)
