The Northeast just got pummeled by one of the largest, and most disruptive December winter storms in a while.
After an initial area of low pressure dropped snow in the southern Plains, the system went on to spawn a coastal storm along the Eastern Seaboard, intensifying into a powerful Nor’easter packing rain, wind, ice, and FEET of snow.
Some heavy #snowfall came through the Central states earlier in the day today. We had first hand accounts from #Oklahoma as the flakes continued to fall. #okwx snow pic.twitter.com/5zkB8D0rD2
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) December 16, 2020
Impacts began in the Carolinas and Virginias, where sleet and freezing rain led to numerous slick spots.
https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1339209616786219009
Heavy rain soaked much of the immediate Mid-Atlantic coast, while a strong onshore flow led to power outages, coastal flooding, and beach erosion. Wind gusts reached up to 60 miles per hour along the Jersey Shore.
https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1339314358900277249
As precipitation continued to move into bitter cold air heavy snow began farther north, including the I-95 corridor. Philadelphia was thumped by 6.6 inches of snow before a changeover to ice marking the largest winter storm there since 2018, and more snow than the city saw ALL of last winter.
https://twitter.com/NWS_MountHolly/status/1339570534909034496
They weren’t alone. Several other large Pennsylvania cities blew past last winter’s snow total with this storm, including Harrisburg, State College, and Allentown. It also became Williamsport’s largest snowstorm on record.
⚠️CLOSE CALL ⚠️ Check out this SCARY video of EMS workers almost hit by a truck sliding through the snowy road in Collier Township, PA.
REMEMBER to slow down and use caution in situations like this. #PAwx pic.twitter.com/7cMB27EsFW
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) December 17, 2020
New York City was next in line. Heavy snow turned the Big Apple into a winter wonderland. Six to twelve inches of snow blanketed the city, also more snow than was observed in all of last winter.
https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1339374757112852480
As the Nor’easter continued to track northward, wind-driven snow eventually overspread southern and central New England, including the Boston area. Many areas got close to, or eclipsed a foot of snow.
Hopefully any snow birds in northern Pennsylvania left town earlier this week…
Because many motor homes are now surrounded by up to 40 (!) inches of #snow!
The clean up process is only beginning on this Thursday!#PAwx #snOMG pic.twitter.com/2113zof8jF
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) December 17, 2020
The biggest wallop of snow was concentrated where a persistent, intense snow band set up from northern Pennsylvania into upstate New York. Snow was falling at rates of 3 to 6 inches PER HOUR during the height of storm, leading to localized snowfall totals of up to 4 FEET!
Snowfall reports received as of 1 pm. Top amounts by state thus far:
NY-Newark Valley 44"
VT-Ludlow 44"
PA-Alba 43.3"
NH-Sanbornton 40"
ME-Acton 25.7"
MA-Lanesborough 23"
CT-New Milford 16.5"
RI-Chepachet 12.5"
NJ-Stockholm 12"
MD-Sabillasville 12"
WV-Hambleton 12"
VA-Basye 11.5" pic.twitter.com/aKmJnXuoOb— NWS Eastern Region (@NWSEastern) December 17, 2020
The Nor’easter left many roads temporarily impassible, and many towns with a grueling cleanup process.