Major Blizzard Batters New England

Very heavy snowfall is taking place across the northeast this evening with a powerful blizzard that developed from a southern and northern stream system phase this afternoon.  Central pressures in the surface cyclone dropped to near 980mb this evening as upper level divergence continued to overspread the region ahead of the phasing trough.  This system has dropped over a foot of snow in a short period of time in portions of CT and Mass. already this evening.  More snow will continue through the remainder of the overnight.  Near or zero visibilities are expected for a long duration across many of the major metros in New England.  This is a life threatening situation and travel is not advised.  Hunker down and ride it out.  Conditions will improve by the end of the weekend…with another major system in it’s looms for late week potentially.  

Latest reports…

• Numerous areas of tree and powerline damage with heavy snow and wrecks
• 76 mph wind gust at Boston within the last 30 minutes.
• 50-70 mph wind gusts from New Jersey to Maine