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| Northeast Storm Live Updates: Snow Cloaks a Region and Power Failures Mount | Northeast Storm Live Updates: Snow Cloaks a Region and Power Failures Mount |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Near-blizzard conditions consumed portions of the East Coast on Wednesday evening as snow piled up, crashes clogged roadways and around 235,000 people lost power. | Near-blizzard conditions consumed portions of the East Coast on Wednesday evening as snow piled up, crashes clogged roadways and around 235,000 people lost power. |
| The storm, the second nor’easter in a week to batter the region, included rounds of intense “thundersnow” and lightning. In New York, up to 13 inches of snow had been reported in some places, and two to three inches per hour were falling on Long Island. In New Jersey, state troopers had responded to more than 350 crashes by late afternoon. And in Connecticut and Massachusetts, officials warned of dangerous driving conditions as rush hour coincided with the brunt of the storm. | The storm, the second nor’easter in a week to batter the region, included rounds of intense “thundersnow” and lightning. In New York, up to 13 inches of snow had been reported in some places, and two to three inches per hour were falling on Long Island. In New Jersey, state troopers had responded to more than 350 crashes by late afternoon. And in Connecticut and Massachusetts, officials warned of dangerous driving conditions as rush hour coincided with the brunt of the storm. |
| Here’s the latest: | Here’s the latest: |
| • Conditions deteriorated throughout the day. “If you don’t need to be on the road, don’t be on the road,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut, who closed state offices at midday. “Just stay home.” | |
| • Snowfall totals are varying widely. By 5:30 p.m., 16 inches had been reported in West Milford, N.J., nine inches in Danbury, Conn., and about five inches in Albany. When measurements were taken at Kennedy Airport, only two inches of snow had fallen. | • Snowfall totals are varying widely. By 5:30 p.m., 16 inches had been reported in West Milford, N.J., nine inches in Danbury, Conn., and about five inches in Albany. When measurements were taken at Kennedy Airport, only two inches of snow had fallen. |
| • Even more was expected to come. Twelve to 18 inches were anticipated in Orange, Putnam and Rockland Counties in New York, as well as in Allentown, Pa.; northwestern Connecticut; and Central and Western Massachusetts. In Pennsylvania, members of the National Guard were on standby in some eastern counties. | • Even more was expected to come. Twelve to 18 inches were anticipated in Orange, Putnam and Rockland Counties in New York, as well as in Allentown, Pa.; northwestern Connecticut; and Central and Western Massachusetts. In Pennsylvania, members of the National Guard were on standby in some eastern counties. |
| • In New York City, seven to 11 inches had been predicted, although Central Park had recorded only 2.5 inches at 7 p.m. For more on travel conditions in the city and the surrounding areas, read New York Today here. | |
| • Travel plans were disrupted nationwide. More than 2,700 flights had been canceled across the country on Wednesday, according to FlightAware, including hundreds at each of three major airports serving the New York area. Nearly 1,900 more flights had been delayed. Amtrak modified service in the region and the Metro-North Railroad announced a reduced schedule for Wednesday and Thursday. | • Travel plans were disrupted nationwide. More than 2,700 flights had been canceled across the country on Wednesday, according to FlightAware, including hundreds at each of three major airports serving the New York area. Nearly 1,900 more flights had been delayed. Amtrak modified service in the region and the Metro-North Railroad announced a reduced schedule for Wednesday and Thursday. |
| • Thousands of people were already without power. FirstEnergy, a utility company, reported a combined 48,000 customers without service in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. | • Thousands of people were already without power. FirstEnergy, a utility company, reported a combined 48,000 customers without service in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. |
| • Mayor Martin J. Walsh of Boston announced that city schools would be closed on Thursday. | • Mayor Martin J. Walsh of Boston announced that city schools would be closed on Thursday. |
| • Do you have a question about the causes of dangerous winter storms? Ask John Schwartz, a New York Times reporter who covers climate change and the environment, for an answer by emailing storms@nytimes.com. Here are some answers so far. | • Do you have a question about the causes of dangerous winter storms? Ask John Schwartz, a New York Times reporter who covers climate change and the environment, for an answer by emailing storms@nytimes.com. Here are some answers so far. |
| • Sign up for the Morning Briefing for news and a daily look at what you need to know to begin your day. | • Sign up for the Morning Briefing for news and a daily look at what you need to know to begin your day. |
| The “thundersnow” on Wednesday brought quick accumulation and excited social media activity along parts of the coast. But its accompanying lightning injured a middle school teacher in Manchester Township, N.J., who was holding an umbrella while outside on bus duty. | The “thundersnow” on Wednesday brought quick accumulation and excited social media activity along parts of the coast. But its accompanying lightning injured a middle school teacher in Manchester Township, N.J., who was holding an umbrella while outside on bus duty. |
| “After the incident, she was escorted into the school building by two other teachers and taken to the nurse’s office,” the Manchester Township police said in a news release. | “After the incident, she was escorted into the school building by two other teachers and taken to the nurse’s office,” the Manchester Township police said in a news release. |
| The teacher, a 33-year-old woman, was hospitalized and expected to survive. | The teacher, a 33-year-old woman, was hospitalized and expected to survive. |
| Winter storm warnings were in effect Wednesday afternoon for much of the Northeast, including a swath from southern New Jersey to northern Maine. | Winter storm warnings were in effect Wednesday afternoon for much of the Northeast, including a swath from southern New Jersey to northern Maine. |
| The biggest snows in Massachusetts were expected in the western and central parts of the state. In Worcester, which often records the state’s highest levels of snow, businesses were closing early on Wednesday in anticipation of as much as 16 inches, but residents expressed little anxiety. | The biggest snows in Massachusetts were expected in the western and central parts of the state. In Worcester, which often records the state’s highest levels of snow, businesses were closing early on Wednesday in anticipation of as much as 16 inches, but residents expressed little anxiety. |
| “We’re New Englanders, we’re used to it,” said Jodi Brennan, a waitress and manager at Lou Roc’s Diner in Worcester. | “We’re New Englanders, we’re used to it,” said Jodi Brennan, a waitress and manager at Lou Roc’s Diner in Worcester. |
| She said the diner closed early to allow workers to get home before they became trapped, but it would open Thursday as usual, regardless of how much snow had fallen. “It has to be really, really, really bad for us to close — unless of course there’s no power,” she said. | She said the diner closed early to allow workers to get home before they became trapped, but it would open Thursday as usual, regardless of how much snow had fallen. “It has to be really, really, really bad for us to close — unless of course there’s no power,” she said. |
| But she predicted that even 16 inches would not leave much of a mark at this time of year. | But she predicted that even 16 inches would not leave much of a mark at this time of year. |
| “It’s going to come and go,” Ms. Brennan said, “and spring will be here before you know it.” | “It’s going to come and go,” Ms. Brennan said, “and spring will be here before you know it.” |
| But even as the storm moved into New England, the National Weather Service warned of “high uncertainty” in snow totals, with thin bands separating paltry dustings from major accumulations on forecast maps. | But even as the storm moved into New England, the National Weather Service warned of “high uncertainty” in snow totals, with thin bands separating paltry dustings from major accumulations on forecast maps. |
| As of about 7 p.m. Wednesday, Alan Dunham, a meteorologist with the Weather Service office in Taunton, Mass., said that Franklin County in northwest Massachusetts had recorded the most snowfall — around five to eight inches. | As of about 7 p.m. Wednesday, Alan Dunham, a meteorologist with the Weather Service office in Taunton, Mass., said that Franklin County in northwest Massachusetts had recorded the most snowfall — around five to eight inches. |
| But he cautioned that the storm has “got a ways to go yet.” | But he cautioned that the storm has “got a ways to go yet.” |
| “It’ll be snowing all night, and places where it’s raining, it’ll be changing over to snow,” he said. | “It’ll be snowing all night, and places where it’s raining, it’ll be changing over to snow,” he said. |
| Officials had not heard from Worcester, so Mr. Dunham said it was not clear how much snow had accumulated there. | Officials had not heard from Worcester, so Mr. Dunham said it was not clear how much snow had accumulated there. |
| Coastal flooding was also possible in New England, and heavy, wet snowflakes were expected to place power lines in peril. | Coastal flooding was also possible in New England, and heavy, wet snowflakes were expected to place power lines in peril. |
| Road crews in several states were trying to mitigate the effects of a difficult evening commute and urging drivers to take precautions, and officials banned semi trucks from some highways in Pennsylvania and New York as the snow intensified. | Road crews in several states were trying to mitigate the effects of a difficult evening commute and urging drivers to take precautions, and officials banned semi trucks from some highways in Pennsylvania and New York as the snow intensified. |
| In Connecticut, where state offices were closing early, Gov. Dannel Malloy encouraged companies to allow employees to work from home if possible. In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker tweeted that “everyone should expect a long & challenging commute home.” And in New York City, where 1,600 snowplows were waiting to be deployed, Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to take precautions. | In Connecticut, where state offices were closing early, Gov. Dannel Malloy encouraged companies to allow employees to work from home if possible. In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker tweeted that “everyone should expect a long & challenging commute home.” And in New York City, where 1,600 snowplows were waiting to be deployed, Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to take precautions. |
| “Use common sense,” he said. “If you can leave work early and get home earlier, please do.” | “Use common sense,” he said. “If you can leave work early and get home earlier, please do.” |
| The storm came just a few days after heavy snow and high winds assaulted the region on Friday, which knocked out power for 2.7 million. | The storm came just a few days after heavy snow and high winds assaulted the region on Friday, which knocked out power for 2.7 million. |
| In Pike County, Pa., about 85 miles northwest of New York City, thousands of residents still without power were suffering through another round of severe weather on Wednesday. | In Pike County, Pa., about 85 miles northwest of New York City, thousands of residents still without power were suffering through another round of severe weather on Wednesday. |
| Matthew Osterberg, the chairman of the county commissioners, said in a phone interview that the snow began intensifying around midday and that he was worried about more electricity loss. | Matthew Osterberg, the chairman of the county commissioners, said in a phone interview that the snow began intensifying around midday and that he was worried about more electricity loss. |
| “It’s been six days now” without power for some residents, Mr. Osterberg said, and patience was “running thin.” | “It’s been six days now” without power for some residents, Mr. Osterberg said, and patience was “running thin.” |
| The lengthy loss of power in his rural county was causing problems beyond what city-dwellers might experience. Mr. Osterberg said most of his constituents depended on electric-powered wells for water, and the local septic system also needed electricity. | The lengthy loss of power in his rural county was causing problems beyond what city-dwellers might experience. Mr. Osterberg said most of his constituents depended on electric-powered wells for water, and the local septic system also needed electricity. |
| “When somebody’s lost power in the back sections of Pike County,” he said, “it just stops everything.” | “When somebody’s lost power in the back sections of Pike County,” he said, “it just stops everything.” |
| Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said in a briefing on Tuesday that 78,000 people were still without power in the state, which he considered “unacceptable.” | Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said in a briefing on Tuesday that 78,000 people were still without power in the state, which he considered “unacceptable.” |
| “These storms have now become the rule rather than the exception, and they have to have the capacity to quickly restore power,” he said. | “These storms have now become the rule rather than the exception, and they have to have the capacity to quickly restore power,” he said. |
| Scientists have been looking at phenomena like cold spells, which occur when air from the Arctic dips south. After all, the Arctic is warming as a result of climate change, and that appears to be weakening the jet stream, which tends to hold that cold air up toward the top of the world. | Scientists have been looking at phenomena like cold spells, which occur when air from the Arctic dips south. After all, the Arctic is warming as a result of climate change, and that appears to be weakening the jet stream, which tends to hold that cold air up toward the top of the world. |
| As Marlene Kretschmer, a researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, told The Times in January, the connection is not yet fully established. “There’s a lot of agreement that the Arctic plays a role, it’s just not known exactly how much,” she said. “It’s a very complex system.” | As Marlene Kretschmer, a researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, told The Times in January, the connection is not yet fully established. “There’s a lot of agreement that the Arctic plays a role, it’s just not known exactly how much,” she said. “It’s a very complex system.” |
| Read more answers to common questions about winter storms. | Read more answers to common questions about winter storms. |