Latest forecast as NYC declares snow emergency and Virginia issues ice warning

Follow the latest updates

The US Capitol is enveloped with mist on Wednesday as much of the East Coast braces for snow (AFP via Getty Images)

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.

States declare emergency as biggest snowstorm in years rolls towards New York City

Key Points

• A winter weather warning is in place for an 850 mile stretch of the East Coast, from Georgia to Cape Cod
• More than 70 million people were under a winter storm warning or advisory
• Some inland areas in Pennsylvania have been told to expect up to two feet of snow
• New York City could see 14 inches, and gusts of wind 45 mph strong
• Airlines have cancelled 700 flights and 400 more have been delayed

[16 December 2020 23:25 · Graeme Massie]

NWS predicts heaviest snow still to fall Wednesday night in northeast

[16 December 2020 23:55 · Graeme Massie]

Philadelphia ends snow drought

Philadelphia has ended its snow drought and the three inches to fall so far are ten times what was seen in the city in the whole of 2019.

[17 December 2020 00:40 · Graeme Massie]

New York mayor urges residents to stay at home

Bill de Blasio urged city residents to stay at home during the winter storm, and to use public transport if they had to venture out.

[17 December 2020 01:15 · Graeme Massie]

Two dead and others injured in huge Pennsylvania pileup

Two people were killed and others injured in a huge pileup involving between 30 and 60 cars in Pennsylvania.

The accident happened on the westbound carriageway of Interstate 80 in the central part of the state in the wintery weather, according to police.

“It involved 30 to 60 vehicles with multiple injuries and right now there are two fatalities," said Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Cpl Brent Miller.

[17 December 2020 01:30 · Graeme Massie]

Northeastern US braces for ‘major’ winter storm dumping several inches of snow overnight

Heavy snowfall, freezing rain and dangerously icy roads covered the northeastern US on Wednesday as millions of people from central Pennsylvania to New York City and a dozen states braced for more than 12 inches of snow across the region overnight.

Winter storm Gail struck Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC as it moved north, expected to cover roughly 1,000 miles from North Carolina into Maine. By 6.30pm, the highest reported snowfall – more than 9 inches of snow within the storm’s first brush along the coastal US – was reported in northern Virginia and West Virginia, according to the National Weather Service.

Our reporter Alex Woodward has more below.

[17 December 2020 01:45 · Graeme Massie]

Penn State posts pics from winter wonderland campus

Penn State university in Pennsylvania posted a string of snow pictures from its winter wonderland of a campus.