By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON — Blizzard warnings were issued Saturday for Boston, Connecticut, New York City, New Jersey and coastal communities along the East Coast as Winter Storm Hernando barrels toward the region, threatening to snarl travel and disrupt the start of the new week.
Forecasters warn the late-winter system will bring heavy snow, gusty winds and coastal flooding to parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic beginning Sunday and intensifying overnight into Monday. With updated alerts in place, Boston, New York City and parts of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts are now under a blizzard warning.
The storm meets the criteria for a full-blown blizzard: winds gusting 35 mph or higher, heavy snow and visibility under a quarter mile for at least three consecutive hours. New England and the Tri-State region could see 10 to 12 hours of true blizzard conditions Sunday night into Monday.
Meteorologists say this will not be a light, powdery snowfall. Temperatures hovering in the upper 20s to low 30s are expected to produce a higher water-content snow, described as thick and wet, making it difficult to shovel and plow. Some forecast models suggest snowfall ratios closer to 8 inches of snow to 1 inch of liquid, raising concerns about heavy accumulation and added strain on infrastructure.
The system is fueled by energy from the Ohio Valley colliding with Gulf and Atlantic moisture, creating a powerful coastal storm that resembles a winter hurricane. Forecast tracks have edged closer to the benchmark near 40 degrees north latitude and 70 degrees west longitude, a position that often signals significant impacts along the Interstate 95 corridor.
Road conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly Sunday evening, and officials caution that the Monday morning commute may be impossible in some areas. Snow is forecast to taper Monday afternoon, though gusty winds and scattered blowing snow could linger into the evening.
In Boston, snow is expected to begin mainly after midnight Sunday, with 3 to 5 inches possible overnight and an additional 11 to 17 inches on Monday. Gusts could reach 55 mph. Worcester could see 5 to 9 inches Sunday night and 10 to 14 inches Monday, with gusts up to 50 mph.
Springfield is forecast for 3 to 7 inches Sunday night and 5 to 9 inches Monday. Hartford may receive 4 to 8 inches overnight and 5 to 9 inches Monday, with gusts nearing 49 mph.
Along the Connecticut coast, New Haven and Bridgeport are projected to see 10 to 14 inches Sunday night, with additional accumulation Monday and gusts approaching 49 mph. New York City could receive 12 to 18 inches Sunday night, followed by 3 to 7 inches Monday, with gusts as high as 49 mph.
Providence is forecast for 6 to 10 inches overnight and 10 to 14 inches Monday, with gusts up to 55 mph. Newport and New Bedford could experience gusts between 55 and 60 mph with significant snowfall. Hyannis may see gusts as high as 65 mph and periods of heavy snow mixing with rain Monday.
Farther north, Bangor is forecast to receive 4 to 8 inches Monday with gusts up to 41 mph, while Portland could see 5 to 9 inches and gusts near 45 mph. Manchester is projected for 6 to 10 inches Monday with blowing snow. Northern New Hampshire and Vermont, including Berlin and Burlington, are expected to receive lighter accumulations but still face gusty winds and travel hazards.
Officials across the region are urging residents to prepare for extended periods of heavy snow, reduced visibility and strong winds. The combination of wet snow and powerful gusts raises the potential for downed tree limbs and scattered power outages.
As Winter Storm Hernando approaches, forecasters emphasize that conditions can change quickly and residents should monitor local advisories. Blizzard conditions are expected to peak Sunday night into early Monday, setting up a disruptive start to the week across much of the Northeast.