The first major winter storm of the season began Saturday to leave what meteorologists say could be more than 30 centimeters (a foot) of wet snow in parts of the northeastern United States, making road traffic dangerous and dropping without electricity to thousands of users.
A morning rain gave way to an afternoon snowfall in New England. Several car accidents were recorded on the Massachusetts Turnpike, where the speed limit was lowered to 40 mph (64 km / h). Electricity companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire quickly reported that thousands of customers were without power.
Forecasters warned that the storm coming from the northeast could cause near-blizzard conditions and leave 30 centimeters (a foot) of snow in suburban Boston. In Canada, southern Quebec and New Brunswick will be affected, according to forecasts.
Authorities in Connecticut urged drivers to drive carefully.
“Patrol cars are responding to accidents across the state,” state police tweeted. “We ask drivers to please stay home if possible. If you have to leave please drive slowly and avoid all distractions. “
Unitil Corp., a New England power and gas company, reported that its crews were ready to handle power outages.
“The main risks in the current forecast include dangerous driving conditions in the early hours, the volume of wet snow forecast and possibly high winds in coastal areas,” said spokesman Alec O’Meara.
In some areas, snowfall could reach 7.5 centimeters (three inches) per hour, said National Weather Service expert Michael Clair in Gray, Maine.
“This is the first big one,” Clair said about the start of the winter season. “There is some snow high in the mountains, but this is the first storm to affect an area where most of the people live.”
There could be clusters larger than 46 centimeters (18 inches) in the highlands, Clair added. Although the snow is expected to reach 30 centimeters (one foot) in the most populated areas in the interior areas.
Areas south of New England, including the New York region, will be affected by downpours and high winds, according to forecasts.
–
