February 10, 2015

The third major snowfall in two weeks struck the United States’ New England region—Boston, Massachusetts, in particular—again. In two storms in late January and early February, Boston received a total of 40.5 inches (103 centimeters) of snow in a week. With yesterday’s storm, Boston received another 22 inches (59 centimeters) and the storm was not predicted to end until today. In total, the city has received 71.8 inches (182 centimeters) this winter. It breaks all records for winter snowfall there, even in a city used to harsh winters.

The latest snowstorm left the Boston area with another nearly two feet of snow and forced the local transportation authority to suspend all rail service for the day. Credit: AP Photo

Boston and much of the New England area are prone to a type of storm called nor’easters. When the warm ocean currents of the Gulf of Mexico meet the frigid cold air traveling southwards over the Atlantic, a rotating low-pressure system brings rolling, dark clouds and rain or snow to New England.

Travel in the Boston region has been affected, with subway and train service canceled as well as 2,000 flights. The city of Boston is also struggling to get rid of so much snow. This is especially important since a fourth snowstorm is predicted to hit the area this coming weekend. The city’s “snow farms”—vacant parcels of land where snow removal crews dump large amounts of plowed snow—are full. Piles of snow made by plows reach to 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) at intersections on some streets. Boston has begun using snow melters, gas-powered machines that can melt about 350 tons (307 metric tons) per hour. Still, the large snow melters are struggling to keep up, and Boston may be forced to request permission from the department of environmental protection to dump snow in Boston Harbor.

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)