Northeast Faces First Major Snowstorm With Heavy Snowfall

The Northeast experienced its first major snowstorm of the season on Tuesday, bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and icy roads from Pennsylvania to Maine. Meanwhile, the Midwest finally recovered from a post-Thanksgiving freeze. Winter storm warnings and advisories were in effect across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, and New York, as snow began falling steadily before sunrise. Northern New England was expected to receive up to 10 inches of snow, with forecasters warning that some areas could experience rain while others saw fast-accumulating snow.

The storm formed after Chicago O’Hare International Airport recorded over 8 inches of snow during the weekend, breaking a record set in 1951 for the highest single-day November snowfall. While snow in the Great Lakes region eased, the new system strengthened as it moved east, raising the possibility of up to a foot of snow in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Orrison noted that this would be the first significant snowfall of the season for many areas, causing hundreds of flight delays.

Meteorologists also highlighted that winter — defined as December through February — is used for consistent climate recordkeeping and differs from the astronomical winter on most calendars.

In Maine, coastal areas were under storm warnings from Tuesday morning into Wednesday. The National Weather Service advised residents to delay travel if possible. Schools and government offices closed in many parts of the Northeast due to early snowfall. In upstate New York, dozens of school districts canceled classes as six or more inches of snow were expected. New Hampshire introduced its second annual “name-a-plow” contest, a lighthearted approach to managing the storm.

Ohio and Pennsylvania faced particularly dangerous travel conditions. Winter weather advisories remained active in Ohio as 3 to 5 inches of snow fell in some southern counties. Slick highways caused multiple crashes, including a section of I-70 west of Cleveland that was temporarily closed. Traffic around Columbus moved very slowly due to poor visibility.

Pennsylvania prepared for a full day of snow cleanup. Snow covered parts of the state early Tuesday, slowing drivers along Interstate 78 and other major highways. Crews began treating the 565-mile Pennsylvania Turnpike system before dawn, with vehicle restrictions applied on several eastern interstates. More than 600 equipment operators and safety staff were on hand to maintain the 2,900 miles of Turnpike lanes. Agency spokeswoman Marissa Orbanek said, “We really prepare for snow all year long.”

The storm started as a weaker system over the central U.S. but strengthened as it approached the coastal waters. According to Ashton Robinson Cook of the NWS Weather Prediction Center, such storms are uncommon but not unexpected. Forecasters also warned that another winter system could hit the mid-Atlantic on Friday and Saturday, extending the season’s first bout of wintry weather.

The first snowstorm of the season is causing travel disruptions, flight delays, school closures, and icy road conditions across the Northeast. Residents are urged to stay safe, limit travel, and follow local weather advisories as winter weather continues.