Blizzard of 2013 making travel hazardous. What it's hitting.
| New York
After a mercifully mild winter in most parts of the US, the Northeast is feeling the first effects of a developing blizzard that threatens to snarl travel for tens of millions in the region. Besides blizzard conditions, gusting winds, and freezing rain, the massive nor鈥檈aster dubbed 鈥淣emo鈥�聽is bringing flight cancellations, mass transit closures, and road and rail complications.
鈥淲e鈥檙e taking this storm very seriously and you should take this storm very seriously,鈥� , commissioner of New York鈥檚 division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, said at a Thursday afternoon news conference. 鈥淭his is a dangerous storm with a lot of blowing snow, and very significant winds that will make travel Friday night into Saturday almost聽impossible.鈥�
Blizzard warnings have been issued for much of the Northeast, from the transit hub of New York, to Boston, where forecasters warn a 鈥渉istoric鈥� blizzard could dump more than 2 feet of snow.
鈥淢eteorologists are warning everyone to get home by lunch [Friday], because heavy, blinding snowfall is likely to make travel impossible once the storm begins,鈥� The Weather Channel said Friday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 possible travel could be disrupted for several days.鈥�
Here鈥檚 what travelers can expect, from road and rail to flights and mass transit:
Roads
Freezing rain and blinding snow could make for dangerous driving conditions on roadways across the Northeast, leading many officials to ask residents to stay home.
鈥淥nce the storm hits and conditions worsen, stay off the roads if at all possible,鈥� says Heather Hunter, a press representative with AAA. 鈥淜eep abreast of local weather reports and heed local advisories,鈥� Ms. Hunter adds.
In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency Friday and banned cars from roads as of 4 p.m., The Boston Globe reported. The emergency would allow the state to 鈥渢ake appropriate steps to mobilize state assets,鈥� the governor said.
In Boston, Mayor Thomas Menino also urged residents to stay off the roads. 鈥淭his is going to be a very serious storm,鈥� Mayor Menino said in a statement. 鈥淚 want to stress that the best thing everyone can do Friday and Saturday is to stay home. Stay off the roads, stay safe.鈥�
Heavy snow and rapid accumulations could make for treacherous road conditions along local, state, and inter-state routes, with officials warning of hazardous conditions on major thoroughfares including I-95 and I-90.
For drivers who find themselves on the road in wintry weather, , says AAA鈥檚 Hunter. 鈥淚f you are in a situation where you鈥檙e on the road, anything you can do ahead of time to prepare [will help],鈥� she says. She advises drivers keep plenty of windshield wiper fluid and an emergency road kit in their vehicle.
鈥淪low down, take your time, and leave plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you,鈥� she advises. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e in winter conditions, it鈥檚 better to steer around an object than to brake.鈥�
Flights
Airlines have cancelled across the Northeast as a result of the storm, according to FlightAware CEO Daniel Baker, with effects of those cancellations likely to ripple across the country.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced it will work around the clock to keep airports operating smoothly. It鈥檚 鈥渨inter weather arsenal鈥� includes more than 200 pieces of snow and ice equipment at airports, including 鈥渕elters that can liquefy up to 500 tons of snow an hour and plows that can clear snow at 40 mph, more than 2,000 tons of salt and more than 1,500 tons of sand for airport roads and parking lots鈥� and 鈥渁pproximately 300,000 gallons of liquid anti-icer chemicals at the airports, which prevent snow and ice from bonding to runways and taxiways.鈥�
Winter weather arsenal notwithstanding, domestic carriers in New York-area airports, including Newark Liberty International, JFK International, and La Guardia, have planned to cease operations between 2 PM and 5 PM Friday, reports FlightAware, with service resuming Saturday afternoon. In New England, domestic carriers in many airports including Boston鈥檚 Logan International will cease operations between noon and 4 p.m. Friday, with service also resuming Saturday afternoon.
Airlines are encouraging passengers traveling to or from affected airports to check the status of their flight prior to leaving for the airport. Most airlines have waived or relaxed their change-fee policies, allowing passengers booked on flights to and from affected cities Feb. 8 and 9 to rebook flights at no fee.
Weather Underground has compiled details on flight cancellations and airline policies on .
Mass Transit
Heavy snow may disrupt mass transit in Boston, New York, and New Jersey, with Boston鈥檚 MBTA announcing service suspensions starting Friday afternoon.
Boston鈥檚 MBTA service, including subway, commuter rail, bus, and boat, will be suspended starting at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
New York鈥檚 MTA has not yet suspended service, but warns that some subway, bus, and rail service may be suspended if weather conditions worsen. Riders can check its for updates.聽
In New Jersey, NJ Transit is cross-honoring tickets Friday and Saturday, enabling customers to use transit passes on any mode of travel, including rail, light rail, and bus at no extra cost. NJ Transit is posting additional cancellations on .
Rail
has announced it is reducing service on its Acela Express and Northeast Regional routes between New York and Boston starting Friday. Southbound service out of Boston鈥檚 South Station and Northbound service out of New York鈥檚 Penn Station will be suspended beginning Friday afternoon.
