https://ift.tt/uRtLh4 powerful winter storm was forecast to hammer the U.S.’ New England and the Middle Atlantic regions this weekend with up to 60 centimeters of snow, bringing the potential for coastal flooding, power outages and significant travel woes.
Airlines have canceled more than 5,000 flights scheduled to depart between Friday and Sunday, according to the flight-tracking service FlightAware. A total of more than 8,500 flights were delayed.
The storm was developing as a low-pressure system off the Southeast coast and was expected to gain in intensity as it moves up the East Coast, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
The NWS issued a blizzard warning for the Boston metropolitan area and its nearly 4.9 million residents on Friday.
“Expect whiteout conditions and nearly impossible travel at times. The strong to damaging winds will lead to scattered power outages. Also, significant coastal impacts are possible, including coastal flooding and beach erosion,” the weather service said in an advisory.
Forecasters said up to 60 centimeters of snow could fall across the region and wind gusts of 112 kph could be expected starting early Saturday. Southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the island of Martha’s Vineyard, were expected to get the highest snow totals.
“We’re declaring a snow emergency starting tonight,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said in a tweet. “Residents are encouraged to stay home.”
Winter storm advisories and warnings were also in effect from the Carolinas up through Maine, where snow was forecast to start falling Friday afternoon and expected to continue Saturday. Wind gusts could reach 80 kph.