The First Nor’easter of the Season Threatens the East Coast With Snow, Ice, and Severe Travel Delays

First Nor’easter of the Season

Intense snow and ice

Winter alerts in effect

The East Coast of the United States is bracing for days of travel chaos as a powerful nor’easter marks the start of the La Niña winter season, bringing rain, ice, and snow to one of the most densely populated regions of the country.

The system could worsen the delays already caused by the storm that hit the Midwest over the weekend, complicating travel by both road and air.

According to the forecast, a low-pressure area will move from the Southeast toward the East Coast between Monday night and Wednesday, triggering dangerous conditions along the I-95 corridor.

Models from the Fox Forecast Center indicate “an extremely clear boundary between rain and snow,” expected to form just inland from the interstate.

First Nor’easter of the Season Will Cause Airport Delays and Heavy Rain in Major Cities

The First Nor’easter of the Season Threatens the East Coast-Photo: Shutterstock

Although coastal temperatures will be too warm for snow, meteorologists expect periods of heavy rain on Tuesday.

These conditions could lead to significant delays at airports in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Newark, New York, and Boston due to low visibility and localized flooding risks.

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Farther inland, the storm will meet early-season Arctic air, allowing for significant snow accumulation.

Winter storm advisories have been issued for central and northern New York, western Massachusetts, and parts of southern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine beginning Monday night.

Dangerous Snow and Ice Accumulations Due to La Niña This Winter

Winter storm alerts extend from the Ohio Valley to Maine, with estimates of 3 to 5 inches of snow across many areas.

In interior New England and northern New York, heavier totals between 5 and 8 inches are expected.

At higher elevations — including parts of the Adirondacks and the Green and White Mountains — impacts of La Niña will intensify through Wednesday morning, further complicating winter travel.

Meteorologists warn that the exact line dividing rain and snow will have direct consequences for drivers.

Dangerous Ice in the Appalachians and Nearby States

A glaze of ice between 0.5 and 0.6 centimeters is forecast for Appalachian roadways, particularly in West Virginia and Virginia, potentially turning travel into extremely hazardous situations due to La Niña conditions.

Higher elevations in Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, the mid-Hudson Valley, and Connecticut could also see ice accumulation.

Even small amounts — “a quarter-inch can be extremely dangerous” — pose risks for both drivers and pedestrians, experts warn.

Southern Impacts and More Cold on the Way

Farther south, the mountains of western North Carolina will face freezing conditions, affecting communities still recovering from Hurricane Helene in 2024.

The low-pressure system will move quickly and dissipate by Wednesday morning, but the bad weather won’t end there.

Another round of Arctic air, “even colder,” will arrive Thursday, potentially causing slick roads during the morning rush hour.

La Niña, historically associated with more frequent East Coast storms, may continue to influence the region even though NOAA projects a return to neutral conditions in early January, according to Fox Weather — highlighting the importance of staying aware of the East Coast nor’easter forecast.