Winter is still reeling its ugly head as a major winter storm is headed towards New England. According to the National Weather Service, as much as 2 feet of snow could fall in the region that has seen a relatively calm winter so far. Winter Storm Nemo, as the National Weather Service is calling it, could be poised to become another historic February storm.
"This has the potential for being a dangerous storm, especially for Massachusetts into northeast Connecticut and up into Maine," said Luis Uccellini, director of the weather agency's National Centers for Environmental Prediction.
Snow will begin to fall on Friday morning. The heaviest amounts will hit Friday night and into Saturday as Nemo makes its way through New England and upstate New York. A blizzard watch has been issued for parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island as travel will become impossible due to high winds and snow. Coastal flooding could also be an issue for shore communities in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Long Island. Much of New England should anticipate 18 to 24 inches of snow while New York City could receive around 10 inches of snow.
"Very strong winds up to hurricane force are possible Friday night into Saturday. This may result in significant damage along with blizzard conditions for a time. Scattered power outages are possible," the weather center said on their website.
Winter Storm Nemo would hit just after the 35th anniversary of the historic blizzard of 1978. The storm paralyzed the Northeast with more than 2 feet of snow and hurricane force winds. This year's storm has the potential to produce the same kind of destructive weather.
When weather like this is predicted to strike, it is best to be as prepare in advance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency website offers lists of how to prepare for each type of extreme weather. To protect your house with a snow storm, it is recommended insulating pipes with newspaper or plastic to prevent freezing. Make sure there is a battery powered radio and flash lights handy in case of power outages, along with bottles of water, flashlights and canned foods. FEMA's website also offers tips on how to make sure different utilities are properly shut off prior to the storm.
Have a disaster kit in the car, including an ice scraper, brush and rock salt or cat litter. Surprisingly, cat litter can help de-ice a surface and add traction when attempting to drive in inclement weather. It is more accesible that sand or rock salt.
It is important to be as prepared as possible in these events. Visit www.ready.gov for more information.