What to know about storms in the Northeast:
- A powerful winter storm hit areas from eastern Pennsylvania to Massachusetts.
- Some 46 million people were under winter alerts, with the heaviest snow falling from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- More than 1,500 flights were canceled.
- More than 3 inches of snow fell in Central Park, the most since 2022. Parts of the Hudson Valley north of New York City got 5 to 10 inches.
- Many areas of the Northeast exceeded forecasts, with 10 to 15 inches of snow falling in eastern Pennsylvania and 6 to 10 inches blanketing northern New Jersey.
- New York City Public Schools had a rocky start to their first remote-learning snow day.
Winter alerts expire as Nor'easter moves off the coast, overnight freeze still poses danger
The snow has ended in Philadelphia, New York City and Hartford, Connecticut, and will soon end in Boston. The Nor’easter is now rapidly accelerating off the coast and most of the winter alerts that were in effect have expired or will soon expire, NBC News meteorologists report.
Gusty winds will remain and a few lake enhanced snow showers may impact parts of upstate New York and northwest Pennsylvania through tonight.
There were many areas in eastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey that overperformed in terms of snowfall. Amounts from Allentown to Scranton in eastern Pennsylvania ranged from 10 to 15 inches. In northern New Jersey, snowfall totals ranged from 6 to 10 inches.
In New York City, the total snowfall hit 3.2 inches in Central Park — which is the highest snow amount for the park since January 2022 — but areas north of New York City including the Hudson Valley saw 5 to 10 inches. Any slushy, wet or untreated areas may freeze tonight across the Northeast as temperatures drop below freezing.
Top snowfalls for Northeast today
- West Hartford, Connecticut: 15.2 inches
- Sussex, New Jersey: 15 inches
- Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania: 14.5 inches
- Newtown, Connecticut: 13.8 inches
- Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania: 13.4 inches
- Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania: 13.2 inches
- Chester, New York: 13 inches
- Mt. Pocono, Pennsylvania: 12.5 inches
- Waterbury, Conncecticut: 12.5 inches
- Vernon, New Jersey: 12.1 inches
Freezing temperatures overnight in NYC could turn snowmelt into dangerously icy conditions
Below-freezing temperatures are expected in New York City tonight, according to NYC's official emergency notification system.
A special weather statement was issued by the National Weather Service in New York for the city.
"Melting snow & standing water on area roadways may become icy. Use extra caution if traveling this evening through Wednesday morning," Notify NYC wrote on X.
Over 160 weather-related accidents in Connecticut
There have been over 160 weather-related accidents in Connecticut today, according to Connecticut State Police.
Eight people have been injured as a result of the accidents.
There have been a total of 764 calls for service in the state so far today, according to police.
New Jersey police respond over 440 car accidents due to winter storm
New Jersey State Police responded to over 440 car accidents since 4 p.m. yesterday due to the winter storm that has impacted the state.
Police have also responded to over 440 "motorist aids," which include "anything from flat tires, mechanical breakdowns and spin outs."
20-year-old man dies in Pennsylvania after snowmobile hits downed power line
A 20-year-old man died in a snowmobile crash in Pennsylvania, Newberry Township police said today.
Police responded to the scene of the accident at around 8 a.m. The man died after colliding with a downed utility line while operating a snowmobile. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The snowmobiler was traveling north in the 200 blk. of York Rd. when the collision occurred," police said in a statement. "At the time, the central Pennsylvania area was experiencing a multitude of weather related conditions due to a winter storm which caused downed trees, downed powerlines and hazardous travel conditions throughout the area."
No other vehicles or people were involved in the incident, police said.
Pennsylvania police respond to over 1,200 crashes
The Pennsylvania State Police Department has responded to over 1,200 weather-related crashes and vehicle incidents in the state so far today, according to Lt. Adam Reed.
It's not clear if there have been any reported injuries or casualties as a result of the incidents.
Snowfall totals up to 4.9 inches in the Northeast so far
Snowfall totals in the Northeast region have accumulated up to 4.9 inches so far.
The Newark Airport area received up to 4.9 inches of snow, while John F. Kennedy Airport has had about 4.2 inches.
LaGuardia Airport reported 3.3 inches while Central Park has about 3.2 inches of snow.
Snow storm hits Long Island as voters turn out for New York special election to replace former Rep. George Santos
Today's winter storm has descended on Long Island as the special election in New York’s 3rd Congressional District to replace Republican former Rep. George Santos is underway.
The storm has prompted concerns about reduced voter turnout in a race that is already expected to have a lower turnout rate.
Both candidates in the race — Democratic former Rep. Tom Suozzi and Republican Mazi Pilip — have urged voters to not let the storm discourage them from casting ballots.
In posts to X this morning, teams for Suozzi and Pilip said they are providing rides for voters who want to get to the polls in the snowstorm.
“No snow day for Team Suozzi! We are out and about giving voters rides to the polls If you need a ride — please call (646) 770-3557 Be safe. Vote Suozzi,” Suozzi’s campaign wrote in a post to X.
“There’s too much at stake in this election to stay home. Team Mazi is offering free rides to voting locations. Please call 516-662-4633 or visit https://maziforny.com/vote/ if you haven’t voted yet and need a ride to the polls. We’re counting on your support!!” Pilip’s campaign wrote in a post to X.
Will your Valentine's Day deliveries make it on time?
Today's winter storm in the Northeast has some wondering if their shipped flowers and chocolates will make it to their loved ones on time.
A UPS spokesperson told NBC News that "delivering on our commitments is UPS’s most important priority." The delivery giant has a team of meteorologists who help assure contingency plans are in place in case of severe weather. "Our drivers train to make deliveries safely, and if we cannot safely deliver to an area, we will resume service as soon as conditions permit," the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the USPS said in a statement that its carriers "deliver the mail in all kinds of weather."
"We plan for various weather issues throughout the year, including efforts to make sure employees have the necessary tools and training to do their jobs safely," the statement said. Fed Ex did not immediately respond to questions about what effects the storm might have on Valentine's Day deliveries.