Northeast braces for first major snowstorm as Midwest recovers

The Northeast is preparing for its first significant snowstorm of the season, while the Midwest begins to recover from heavy snow and ice that disrupted travel over Thanksgiving.

Parts of northern New England could receive up to 10 inches (25 cm) of snow, with some areas experiencing strong winds and icy conditions. States expected to be affected include Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, and New York.

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings and advisories across the region. Meteorologists predict that some locations could see up to a foot (30 cm) of snow by Tuesday, marking a major first snowfall for many communities.

This winter blast comes shortly after Chicago recorded more than 8 inches (20 cm) of snow over the weekend, the highest single-day November snowfall on record for the city. While snow in the Great Lakes is tapering off, the new storm is moving toward the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

In Maine, residents were advised to delay travel as coastal areas face heavy snow from Tuesday morning through Wednesday. New Hampshire’s transportation department has invited the public to participate in a “name-a-plow” contest for its snowplow fleet. Last year’s winning name was “Ctrl-Salt-Delete.”

Pennsylvania is preparing for plowable snow along the 565-mile (909 km) Turnpike system. Crews began treating lanes ahead of the storm, and vehicle restrictions on several interstates will start Tuesday morning. Over 600 operators and safety personnel are ready to clear roads, supported by 23 maintenance sheds operating 24/7.

Travelers in the Midwest are still dealing with the effects of Thanksgiving travel delays. Chicago saw hundreds of flights canceled or delayed due to the weekend snowfall. Many passengers experienced long waits as connecting flights were delayed by several hours.

Airports across the country have been working to de-ice planes, and roads are congested despite snow clearance efforts. Officials are urging travelers to exercise caution and allow extra time for winter driving conditions.