A major winter storm moved into parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Sunday ahead of dangerously low temperatures that will blanket much of the country in the coldest weather in years, National Weather Service forecasters said.
The heaviest snowfall was expected north and west of the Interstate 95 corridor, with up to eight inches possible, according to the Weather Service. Parts of West Virginia reported up to seven inches of snow Sunday afternoon, according to the Weather Service.
Smaller accumulations were reported from Kentucky to Massachusetts on Sunday evening. In Philadelphia, Philadelphia Eagles football players make snow angels on the field before defeating the Los Angeles Rams.
“Heavy snow packs” began moving across New York City and western Long Island Sunday evening, the Weather Service said.
Forecasters from the New York Weather Service office said heavy snow was falling in parts of the Lower Hudson Valley and Northern New Jersey and warned that some areas could receive one to two inches per hour at times.
Early reports estimated three to five inches had accumulated in the Lower Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey by Sunday night, the service said.
The office also said on Sunday that it had received reports of the phenomenon known as thundersnow – where lightning and thunder occur during snowfall.
Much of the Northeast is under winter storm warnings or winter weather advisories. A winter storm warning is issued when severe winter weather is expected or has already occurred, and can make travel extremely dangerous or impossible. Counseling is for less severe cases.
The New York City metropolitan area, Long Island, southern Westchester and coastal Connecticut are under winter weather advisories. Snow accumulations of three to five inches were expected, which could lead to slick travel and snow-covered roads.
Airports across the Northeast were experiencing delays and cancellations throughout Sunday afternoon and evening. Major airports around New York City, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, DC, were clearing snow and ice from their runways throughout the day, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
After the snow stopped Sunday night in Washington, DC, the state warned residents about the falling temperatures that could turn the snow on their cars to ice by morning.
As the storm approaches Massachusetts, the state is lowering the speed limit on a section of I-90 from the New York border to Interchange 41.
Shortly after the storm ends early Monday morning, arctic air will move into much of the south-central and southeastern United States, bringing several days of cold conditions.
This is the coldest wind of the winter season so far, and in many cases the coldest in several years, National Weather Service forecasters warned.
High temperatures will range from below zero to the single digits in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest; single digits and new across the Rockies, Central Plains and Midwest; teens and 20s across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic; and between the 20s and 30s in Texas and the Southeast.
The Weather Service said cold temperatures will be at dangerously low levels and hypothermia or frostbite is possible from prolonged exposure or lack of proper clothing.
Wind chills from 30 to 55 degrees below zero are expected at times Monday in the Rockies, North Plains and Upper Midwest, and subzero south in Oklahoma and Tennessee and the Ohio Valleys.
In Chicago on Sunday, temperatures were in the single digits at 11 am
Ann Marie Saviano, 51, who lives in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood on the city’s South Side, said she plans to meet up with her friends for brunch, shopping and a birthday party.
“It’s that time of year we call hibernation – when people retreat into their caves to stay warm and cozy for one to four days, and come out ready to face the world when it’s a cool 23 degrees,” Ms Saviano said.
Forecasters warned of a major winter storm for the Gulf Coast states coming Monday, as a combination of cold air and a storm system in the Gulf is expected to bring snow, sleet and snow to the region that could cause major travel disruptions.
As the storm moves eastward from Texas, it is forecast to sweep across Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Carolinas.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches for parts of Louisiana.
The most snow is likely between the US 190 and Interstate 10 corridors in Louisiana and southeast Texas, where four to six inches could accumulate.
Reporting contributed by Amanda Holpuch, Camille Baker, Robert Chiarito again Sarah Ruberg.
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