http://youtu.be/HR73yyvTsoU New York and Boston are in the crosshairs of a blockbuster blizzard forecast for Monday night and Tuesday. In its forecast discussion today, the National Weather Service in New York described it this way:
THE INGREDIENTS ARE COMING TOGETHER FOR A POSSIBLE HISTORIC NOR`EASTER
Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches an hour are possible, with accumulations of one to two feet possible in New York City and similar amounts in Boston, according to the weather service. As of Sunday morning, a blizzard watch was in effect from coastal New Jersey to Massachusetts. The video at the top of this post shows forecast surface winds for 4 a.m. Tuesday morning. (Source: earth.nullschool.net) Deep low pressure in the forecast storm combined with high pressure to the north and west are expected to produce winds gusting to 50 miles per hour or more. If this comes to pass, it would produce fierce blizzard conditions. The highest snowfall amounts in the New York area are forecast for eastern Long Island and Southeastern Connecticut, with heavy snow possibly extending into the lower Hudson Valley.
Animated forecast map showing mean sea level pressure and precipitation from Sunday morning through early Wednesday evening. (Source: NOAA Air Resources Laboratory) In Massachusetts, a coastal flood watch is in effect in addition to the blizzard watch:
...MODERATE TO PERHAPS ISOLATED POCKETS OF MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING ALONG WITH CONSIDERABLE BEACH EROSION ARE POSSIBLE DURING THE EARLY TUESDAY MORNING AND LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON HIGH TIDE CYCLES...
If this storm comes together as forecast, travel is going to be quite dangerous. So now's the time to prepare. As Michael De Vulpillieres, American Red Cross spokesperson, told The Weather Channel:
"Check on your supplies and make sure you have water, nonperishable foods, baby supplies, batteries and flash lights. Charge your phones and make sure you have warm clothes for family members. Be mindful of your pet's needs."
