Winter Storm and Arctic Blast Threaten Northeast with Snow, Subzero Temperatures

NEW YORK – A powerful winter storm is set to bring significant snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures to the Northeast, impacting millions along the Interstate 95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston. The storm, expected to begin Sunday evening, could drop 1-3 inches of snow in the nation’s capital and up to 5-8 inches in areas north and west of I-95, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency effective Sunday morning, urging residents to prepare for subzero wind chills and hazardous travel conditions. “Following this weekend’s snow, we are expecting extreme cold with wind chills reaching -10° or below. Dangerously cold conditions are expected to persist through most of next week,” Murphy said in a statement.

More than 30 million residents from the Appalachians to the Northeast are under winter weather alerts, including major cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. The storm could produce the largest snow accumulations of the season for a region that has seen below-average snowfall so far this winter.

In Washington, D.C., the storm coincides with the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Monday. Forecasters predict 1-3 inches of snow, with temperatures plummeting to near zero by Wednesday evening. The inauguration ceremony has been moved indoors for the first time in 40 years due to the extreme cold, with live viewing available at the Capital One Arena.

Philadelphia, which is already 5 inches below its average snowfall for this time of year, could see significant accumulation during the NFC Championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field, where fans will face bitter cold and reduced visibility.

An Arctic air mass will bring the coldest temperatures of the season to the eastern U.S., with wind chills as low as -15° in some areas. Communities from the U.S.-Canadian border to Florida are opening warming centers to protect vulnerable populations from hypothermia and frostbite.

“This will likely end up being the first general snowstorm for the Interstate 95 corridor for the mid-Atlantic and New England, as storms this winter have not hit all of the areas with significant snow all at once,” said Tom Kines, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

The storm is expected to disrupt travel, with flight cancellations and hazardous road conditions anticipated across the Northeast. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities and prepare for prolonged cold weather through the end of the week.