Above: A massive storm is blanketing 22 states, battering millions of people and making any kind of travel next to impossible. Brian Mooar reports.
The snowstorm that brought parts of the southern United States to a standstill on Wednesday has moved up the east coast, dumping more than 31 cm of snow in some parts of the northeast including New York and Massachusetts.
The storm is an intense nor’easter that generated over Texas. Nor’easters are large and powerful areas of low pressure that, when mixed with the moisture from the south and the cold air from the north, travel up the northeast causing blizzards, heavy snow, or rain. (They are named after the direction of the wind, however, not the direction they travel.)
READ MORE: Storm moving up US coast could intensify as it heads toward Atlantic
The snow caused traffic headaches and widespread road closures for millions of residents on Thursday.
The weather is also causing airline delays to and from the eastern U.S.
In Toronto, Pearson International Airport was advising travellers to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.
“Flights to and from the Eastern United States are experiencing some delays and cancellations today due to snow and winter conditions,” the airport posted on their website.
As of noon, 206 flights had been cancelled and a few were delayed.
In Montreal, the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport issued a similar warning.
“Inclement weather on the East Coast of the United States is causing flight delays and cancellations. We recommend that passengers from and to these destinations contact their carrier.”
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In New York, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the mid-Hudson, New York City and Long Island, the second in two weeks.
“These regions are expected to continue to receive heavy snow that may accumulate at rates of around two to three inches per hour, which will make it difficult for plows to keep some roads clear,” he said in statement. “New Yorkers should stay off of the roads and remain in their homes until the worst of the storm has passed.”
In Washington, D.C., many streets were deserted as federal offices and its two main airports were closed. About 30 cm of snow had already fallen.
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Though the worst of the storm had passed in the south, thousands still remained without power as ice coated trees and driveways.
This is one of several winter storms that has affected the U.S. northeast and there is the danger of depleted salt supplies.
The storm is expected to continue northeast and will move into eastern Canada by Thursday evening.
Environment Canada has already issued winter storm warnings for New Brunswick and parts of Newfoundland and Labrador. In Nova Scotia several wind and rainfall warnings are in place.
–With files from The Associated Press
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