Two powerful
winter storm systems are bringing snow
and freezing rain
through cities along the East Coast,
affecting more than 35 million people.
These photos were taken
in close to New Jersey on Saturday.
Forecasters predict
an additional
3 to 6 inches of snow today.
CNN's Polo Sandoval is in Hartford,
Connecticut Kate.
Comfy cozy out there in the snow.
Follow.
What do you see? Yeah,
you're up to this point.
Emily and Victor,
it's really been more of a
snowflake winter.
And so this is the main reason
why folks were closely
monitoring this storm,
because there were many cities
throughout the Northeast
that had just experienced
one of the least
snowiest years on record.
So believe it or not,
there are folks here
in Connecticut's capital city
who are saying bring on a fresh dusting.
Now, I have to tell you, though,
it looks like it was certainly at least
not the 11 inches that were predicted.
The National Weather
Service expecting roughly
half a foot of snow
falling here in Hartford
with other portions
certainly getting a little bit
more snow, though.
So this was really more, according
to Connecticut's
Department of Transportation,
an opportunity for these first responders
to basically dust off
snow removal equipment that in some cases
hadn't been used in years.
For New Englanders.
We're used to it.
But I think it's a it's
going to be
a good refresher course
for a lot of people here at the DOT,
but also people throughout the state of
this is what a winter should look like.
Yeah, well, the transportation officials
who you just heard from
were an opportunity to speak to
also told me that
because of the timing of this storm,
they were hopeful that the impact
would be less
than what they would experience
in other stories, meaning that this hit
not only overnight but on the weekend.
So a lot of people did actually have
to venture out for school or work.
So that was certainly giving them
the upper hand.
Folks here
certainly going to be closely
tracking yet
another storm in the coming days
that could pack even a heavier,
more severe punch and or weather experts.
Alison,
we'll fill you in on those details.
But for now, it looks like it's clear
sailing here in Connecticut.
Those plows have been working overnight.
They still rolled out over 600
individual dedicated pieces
of snow removal equipment
for this one, guys.
Polo, appreciate you being out there.
I sense a little schadenfreude
with your laugh there. Victor.
I feel for you.
Oh, I hate it when it's below 65 degrees.
Good to see you, Paula.
CNN meteorologist
Alison Sinjar joining us now.
Hey there, Alison.
So this storm is still impacting
millions of people.
What can we expect?
And there's another one
coming in right behind it.
That's right.
The main impact for today
is just more snow.
This system isn't done yet.
Now, for some of these areas,
they've had plenty.
Unionville, New York,
has already picked up a foot of snow.
And we've got more on the way.
Heavy snow coming down across Syracuse.
Also in Boston right now.
Places like Portland and Manchester
also getting some snow.
But this system is
largely going to exit out
a little bit farther offshore
over the rest of the day today.
So we will see this system ending today.
In the short term, still expecting
about 3 to 5 inches widespread.
Some areas could pick up as much as 8
to 10 additional inches of snow today.
But then, yes,
we have another system right behind it.
This is going to be the big one
impacting the central U.S.
over the next few days.
It's beginning in the southwest
and then it's going to very quickly
make its way across the country,
really traversing about 18,
100 square mile or 1800 miles
in just 72 hours.
You can see by tonight
and early tomorrow morning,
the focus is really over
the panhandle region
of Texas and Oklahoma.
Rain on the south side
and some very heavy snow
and poor visibility on the northern edge.
So you're looking at blizzard conditions
for much of the central plains.
Then as we get later into the day, Monday
and especially Tuesday.
Now the focus becomes the Midwest.
This includes places
like Chicago in Milwaukee,
looking at the potential
for pretty decent amounts of snow
on the southern edge here.
It's not just very heavy rain,
but also the potential
for severe thunderstorms as well,
because you're talking
about a significant amount
of snow on the northern side,
but also rain on the southern side
basically for the entire eastern
half of the country.
That's why
we've also got the potential
for excessive rainfall
and flooding risk
along the Gulf Coast
as we go into the day, the next day.
And then by the following
day, on Tuesday,
you're looking at more of that threat
for areas on the northeast
and also the severe potential here
to Monday.
The main concern is going to be along
the Gulf Coast, places
like New Orleans, Houston,
even along the panhandle of Florida.
The main concern here is going
to be damaging winds and tornadoes.
And then that threat shifts
a little bit farther east
in the coming days.
Alison,
how many snowflake ensembles
do you have?
Well, tell us about your earrings.
You know,
I was going to say I'm at the point
now where people keep giving me stuff.
This is my Christmas
present from my son
Is your Legos snowflake earrings.
Yeah, that's that's great.
That's So that's her second snowflake.
Yeah.
Yesterday, she was all in Snowflake.
And you were scolding her on the air
about that.
But, I mean, let's hope
the temperatures rise tomorrow
because we're.
Out of it
and we'll actually have, you know,
big suns and.
Yeah.
Anyway, Alison Karp, thanks so much.