Winter Storm Gathers Strength

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Winter Storm Gathers Strength
4 PM EST, January 27, 2004

A major winter storm was taking shape
across the Mid-Atlantic into the
Northeast on Tuesday afternoon. Low
pressure had developed off the Virginia
coast and was forecast to strengthen
and track northeastward.

A mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow
had developed into parts of the Mid-
Atlantic late Tuesday afternoon. A
WeatherBug live camera in Washington
D.C. (see Related Content on right)
showed reduced visibility in freezing
rain. This wintry mess is expected to
encompass much of the Northeast by
late Tuesday night.

Up to a quarter of an inch of ice may
accumulate in the Washington D.C. and
Baltimore metro areas, with more
significant accumulations of ice
possible in Philadelphia. Utility
companies are bracing customers for
possible power outages from northern
Maryland into Pennsylvania.

In New York City, light snow and
freezing drizzle were observed at times
on Tuesday. The Brooklyn Bridge was
often obscured by drizzle and fog as
seen through a WeatherBug live
camera in Brooklyn, New York. (see
Related Content on right)
The mixed precipitation will increase
and change to all snow in New York by
late Tuesday night. Snowfall may total 6
to 9 inches by Wednesday morning.

Further to the north in Boston,
temperatures will be cold enough for
mainly snow. Accumulations may be
slighter higher here with 6 to 12 inches
expected by later Wednesday.

The snow and ice will have a major
impact on travel. Road crews are
expected to work around the clock
through much of the Northeast trying to
stay ahead of the storm. Airlines are
advising their passengers to call ahead
before making the trip to the area
airports.

Winter storm advisories and warnings
are posted for much of the East for
Tuesday into Wednesday.