(CNN) — A fast-moving winter storm that hit parts of Kentucky and Virginia is expected to cause widespread disruption in the Northeast this Friday and Saturday, dumping between 4 and 12 inches of snow in major cities.
More than 60 million people are under winter weather alert and local authorities took preventive measures to prepare for the densely populated region, including closing government offices and schools.
According to CNN meteorologist Robert Shackelford, up to 12 inches of snow are expected in Boston, between 4 and 6 inches in Washington, between 3 and 5 in New York and up to 4 inches in Philadelphia.
Winter weather, coupled with COVID-19 disruptions, caused huge headaches for air travelers. Almost 2,000 flights have already been canceled this Friday, according to flightaware.com.
In Connecticut, all state executive branch office buildings will be closed this Friday and non-essential employees have been asked to telecommute.
“It appears that this is a major winter storm that is regarding to affect our state, with snowfall that is expected to reach rates of more than one inch per hour and that will cause snow conditions and that will occur just in the rush hour. in the morning, “Governor Ned Lamont said in a statement.
He also encouraged people not to venture out on the roads if possible.
New York City activated its winter weather plan with 330,000 tons of salt, more than 700 spreaders and more than 1,600 standby plow vehicles, while neighboring New Jersey declared a state of emergency.
Gov. Phil Murphy warned that the combination of snow and wind might lead to blackouts due to downed power lines. And he encouraged people to telecommute if possible, as the storm will likely make travel dangerous.
3,900 teams ready for snow operations
In Massachusetts, officials asked non-emergency state employees not to report to work Friday.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation said it has approximately 3,900 pieces of state and vendor equipment available for snow and ice operations that includes snowplows, spreader combos, and front loaders, and expects to deploy approximately 2,500 pieces of equipment for this storm.
Boston said all public schools in the city will be closed this Friday “due to inclement weather.”
Schools in the area are already facing severe staff shortages, although it is unclear how much is related to covid.
In Virginia, the National Guard is being mobilized to assist in emergency management as the state faces its second winter storm this week, according to Virginia Army and Air National Guard Maj. Gen. Tim Williams. Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency.
The meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service, Jeff Orrock, said the next storm will be smaller, but will hit areas similar to the storm in Virginia earlier in the week.
“In general we will see three to four inches with some isolated amounts, 4 to 6 inches at the higher elevations, and at the same summits we might see 6 to 8 inches,” Orrock said, adding a potential for more snow with ” more than 5 to 6 inches above the I-95 corridor “.
Federal government offices and Washington public schools will be closed this Friday. However, Mayor Muriel Bowser said some covid-19 testing and vaccination centers will remain open.
Winter weather also affects COVID-19 vaccination and testing centers in Maryland and Virginia.
The Maryland Department of Health will delay operating hours at various locations this Friday, and the Virginia Department of Health says five of its Community Immunization Centers will be closed due to inclement weather.
Kentucky declares a state of emergency
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency following heavy snow fell across the state on Thursday. And the state National Guard was activated on all interstate closures.
“The severe severe weather affects travel on major interstates, and state and local highways, as well as causing power outages and damage to public infrastructure and private property,” Beshear said in a statement.
He urged people to stay off the roads if possible, adding that the Red Cross is monitoring the need for warm-up centers and search and rescue teams have already been activated for safety checks for stranded motorists.
The weather caused a multiple crash on the Western Kentucky Parkway on Thursday.
State Police Public Information Officer Scotty Sharp said the only injuries were minor and not life-threatening.
Robert Shackelford de CNN, Dave Alsup, Mary Kay Mallonee, Brian Vitagliano, Elizabeth Joseph, Sahar Akbarzai, Jaide Timm-Garcia, Amy Simonson y Jessica Jordan contribuyeron a este informe.
