A rapidly strengthening winter storm has prompted widespread blizzard warnings across major parts of the US East Coast, with authorities warning that heavy snowfall, strong winds and possible flooding could severely disrupt daily life as the system moves through densely populated regions.
The National Weather Service significantly upgraded its forecast after earlier projections suggested a far less severe weather event. Updated assessments indicate that many areas could receive between 1 and 2 feet (approximately 30 to 61 centimetres) of snow. Blizzard warnings have been issued for New York City, Long Island, Boston and coastal regions across New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Forecasters also cautioned that parts of New York and New Jersey could face flooding risks alongside heavy snowfall.
Meteorologist Cody Snell from the Weather Prediction Center described the storm as unusually large in scale for such a heavily populated corridor, noting that while nor’easters regularly bring winter weather to the region, storms of this magnitude affecting such a wide area have not occurred in several years.
The storm is expected to begin impacting areas near Washington, D.C., on Sunday morning before advancing northward toward Philadelphia and New York City and eventually reaching Boston by evening. In some locations, precipitation may initially fall as rain before transitioning into intense snowfall, with peak snowfall rates potentially reaching two inches (about five centimetres) per hour overnight. Conditions are forecast to gradually improve by Monday afternoon.
Sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour (40 to 56 kilometres per hour) could create near-whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous or even impossible. Authorities warned that heavy snow accumulation combined with strong winds could bring down tree branches and trigger scattered power outages.
Local governments began ramping up preparations as forecasts worsened. New York City officials mobilised additional snow-clearing equipment from outside the city and planned expanded monitoring of bus stops and pedestrian crossings using geocoding technology to ensure faster snow removal. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said decisions about whether schools would open on Monday would depend on updated weather data closer to the storm’s arrival.
Businesses and residents also adjusted plans in anticipation of prolonged disruption. Snow removal companies prepared for extended operations, with crews servicing heavy machinery and expecting continuous work for several days once snowfall begins. Some residents cancelled travel plans to focus on storm readiness.
Emergency officials in Atlantic City warned that flooding could combine with snowfall in low-lying neighbourhoods, creating hidden hazards beneath snow-covered streets. Residents and visitors were urged to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
Community organisations and religious institutions also altered schedules, with several churches cancelling Sunday services or shifting gatherings to earlier times to reduce travel risks.
The approaching storm arrives just as remnants of a previous winter system were finally melting, raising concerns that renewed snowfall and freezing conditions could further strain infrastructure and prolong recovery efforts across the region.
