Latest forecast as NYC declares snow emergency and Virginia issues ice warning
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Your support makes all the difference.A winter storm warning is in place for much of the East Coast of the United States, with up to 14 inches of snow predicted and wind gusts of 45mph from Winter Storm Gail.
The weather service posted winter storm warnings, watches and advisories all the way from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, down to northeastern Georgia, a distance of more than 850 miles. More than 70 million people were under a winter storm warning or advisory.
Near-blizzard conditions are expected to slam into New York on Wednesday evening, in the biggest storm to hit the city since January 2016. Bill de Blasio has announced schools will be shut on Thursday.
Up to two feet of snow are being forecast for inland areas in Pennsylvania, New York State, and much of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
The cities of Washington DC and Philadelphia will be sitting right on the dividing line between precipitation types, making for a messy mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and possibly, cold rain as the storm intensifies and moves along the East Coast.
People are being told to avoid all but essential travel.
Airlines have cancelled 700 flights and delayed almost 400 due to the impending storm.
Welcome to our live coverage of the significant storm heading up the East Coast
Hello!
Welcome to our live coverage of the impending storm. If you’re reading this in the eastern United States, I hope you are somewhere warm and cosy.
Winter weather warnings are in place from northern Georgia to Cape Code - a distance of 850 miles.
And in Washington DC, the first flakes are already falling…
Snow falling on the White House
The Washington Post’s photographer has captured the scene at the White House, as the first flakes fall.
Mayor of New York warns of “biggest snowfall in several years”
Bill de Blasio, the mayor of New York, is telling his city to brace itself.
“We have not had many storms like this in the past few years, thank God,” he said.
"We’ve seen much less snow than we did a few years back.
“So, this could be the biggest storm in several years.”
He has announced that schools will shut on Thursday.
Satellite images show the scale of Winter Storm Gail
Governor of Pennsylvania warns of power outages
Tom Wolf, the governor of Pennsylvania, has signed a winter weather emergency proclamation, adding power outages were a possibility.
In a statement, he said:
"Models predict that the first significant winter storm in nearly a year will hit Pennsylvania tomorrow.
"The commonwealth's emergency preparedness teams have spent a great deal of time and energy over the last several months supporting efforts to mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic and help the commonwealth weather this public health emergency and ensure vaccines are delivered as planned.
"This proclamation makes it easier for all of those involved in vaccine delivery and keeping people safe to do their jobs."
National Weather Service shares photos from Washington DC forecasters
“Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Snowflake Here are photos shared by our forecasters around Washington, DC from 12:30-1pm today, ” the NWS tweeted.
“Ordering the photos West to East shows the difference location made for snowfall with this event, even over a short distance.”
Weather in Pennsylvania like a ‘snow globe’
Pennsylvania capital city Harrisburg set to receive more snow from Winter storm Gail than they did the whole of last year.
Virginia authorities warn about black ice danger
“As the sun sets and temperatures drop roads will begin to freeze. Ice on roads, bridges, and overpasses, often referred to as black ice, is very difficult to see while driving,” tweeted the state’s Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
“Reduce your speeds, build in extra travel time, and focus on driving.”
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