Powerful Nor’easter Set to Bring Heavy Snow, Winds, and Coastal Flooding to US Northeast, Causing Power Outages and Making Travel Difficult

A powerful nor’easter is set to bring heavy snow, winds, and coastal flooding to the US Northeast on Tuesday, already causing power outages and making travel difficult in some areas. Over 20 million people are under winter weather alerts as the first nor’easter of the season is expected to travel along the eastern seaboard.

The National Weather Service warned early Tuesday that rates of 2-3 inches plus per hour and strong winds could make travel “dangerous to impossible.” The East and West coasts are facing a “double whammy” of powerful storms Tuesday, with California facing potentially “catastrophic” flooding as the Northeast braces for the nor’easter.

The storm is expected to strengthen rapidly and significantly impact the Northeast through Wednesday. The heavy and wet nature of the snow, combined with maximum wind gusts of 55 mph, could cause power outages. Widespread snowfall from 6 to 18 inches is likely from northeastern Pennsylvania and far northwestern New Jersey through much of upstate New York and New England, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

The National Weather Service is urging people to take precautions and prepare for the storm. It is important to stay informed of the latest weather updates and to avoid unnecessary travel. People should also be aware of the potential for power outages and plan accordingly.