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Major storm hitting Northeast, with more than a foot of snow in forecast

APTOPIX Winter Weather New Jersey
Posted at 9:55 AM, Feb 01, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-01 12:13:46-05

The latest winter storm to wallop the Northeast is shutting down vaccination sites and snarling other pandemic-related services in many states that could see as much as a foot of snow by Monday evening.

Lara Pagano, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS), says a nor’easter developing off the mid-Atlantic coast will be a “pretty slow mover” as it brings heavy snow and strong winds through Tuesday.

A nor’easter is a storm along the East Coast of North America. It gets its name because the winds over the coastal area are typically from the northeast. The NWS says past nor’easters have been responsible for billions of dollars in damage.

Snow from the current storm has already made its way through Pennsylvania and into New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Due to the weather, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy closed the state’s six mega sites that distribute COVID-19 vaccines.

The snow is also expected to cause flight delays and cancelations throughout the day Monday. The Associated Press found hundreds of flights have been canceled at the region’s major airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is urging travelers to check their flight status with their airline before heading the airport.

The Northeast isn’t alone in dealing with snow. Parts of the Midwest and the Washington D.C. area were also blanketed for the first time in years.