MONROE COUNTY, Pennsylvania (Reuters) — A winter storm that snarled traffic on highways in Pennsylvania is expected to bring heavy snows and fierce winds to New England on Thursday evening (December 29) and into Friday morning, the National Weather Service said. The storm triggered traffic accidents that blocked highways in northeastern and central Pennsylvania on Thursday for hours, according to local media.
The system is forecast to bring more than a foot of snow (30 cm) and 50 mph (80 kph) winds to an area ranging from the Adirondacks Mountains in upstate New York to western Maine, leading to possible white-out conditions on roads and power outages, the National Weather Service said in an advisory.
The storm will make travel across much of the region hazardous, the weather service said.
Storm and high wind watches and warnings were in effect for much of the region until Friday morning as snow fall rates could be as much as 3 inches (8 cm) an hour in some parts, according to the service.
Forecasters predict temperatures will be in the mid 20s and lower 30s on Thursday and Friday and dip into the teens on Saturday.
But some enjoyed the winter weather; many headed to local ski resorts to check out the fresh snow.
