What Happened
A significant winter storm, referred to as a tempête hivernale, is currently affecting over 40 million people in the northeastern United States. Snow accumulations are expected to reach up to 90 cm in some areas, accompanied by gusts of wind up to 90 km/h and very low visibility. As of Monday, February 23, reports indicate that approximately 570,000 households are without electricity, with over 285,000 in Massachusetts alone.
Why It Matters
The storm has prompted emergency declarations in eight states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Travel bans have been imposed in New York and New Jersey, and thousands of flights have been canceled due to severe weather conditions. The National Weather Service has warned of potential flooding in parts of New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts as the storm progresses.
What’s Next
Weather forecasts suggest that the worst of the storm may have passed, according to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. However, meteorologists caution that severe conditions are expected to persist into Monday. The storm, classified as a “nor’easter,” is anticipated to impact regions in Canada, particularly in Quebec and the Maritime provinces, where heavy snowfall and strong winds are also expected.
