WASHINGTON (AP) – The latest on the heavy snowfall expected to the Washington area and possibly the Northeast. (all times local)
7:15 a.m.
A light snowfall during evening rush hour that was more intense than expected led to icy gridlock throughout the Washington area with backups that lasted through the night in some areas.
Treated roads are clear Thursday morning, but some elevated roads, ramps and side streets are icy with drivers inching along.
Maryland Department of Transportation spokesman Charlie Gischlar says crews got stuck in lengthy backups Wednesday night, slowing their progress. He says major delays continued through the night on the Capital Beltway in Prince George’s County, but crews are making progress Thursday morning.
Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Jennifer McCord says in northern Virginia minor accidents built to gridlock and ramp closures continued through the night. She described, “a long night for a lot of people trying to get home.”
Heavy snowfall is predicted by the weekend from the Appalachians to Philadelphia and maybe farther north.
___
7:15 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch for New York’s Long Island starting Saturday morning as the Washington area and the Northeast brace for heavy snowfall.
The Weather Service said Thursday morning that nor’easter-like conditions are expected to hit Long Island, New York City and parts of New Jersey, starting Saturday morning.
The watch means there’s potential for 8 to 12 inches of snow, northeast winds 25 to 35 mph and temperatures in the lower 30s.
___
4:20 a.m.
With heavy snowfall predicted by the weekend from the Appalachians to Philadelphia, people throughout the region readied themselves for blocked roads, power outages and canceled flights.
The National Weather Service said Wednesday that 12 to 16 inches of snow could come down between Friday night and Sunday morning around the Interstate 95 corridor. As much as a foot of snow is possible for Philadelphia’s northern suburbs.
Mitchell Gaines of the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said people should be prepared for strong winds, heavy, wet snow and power outages.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center warns of heavy, “perhaps crippling” snow across the northern mid-Atlantic region, including Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia, probably beginning Friday.