CNN
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More than 400,000 homes and businesses in Maine and New Hampshire lost power early Friday as heavy snow and high winds hit parts of the Northeast at the end of the nor'easter season.
Widespread power outages have left many without indoor heating as the storm blanketed the region with snow, downed trees and power lines and made travel difficult.
“If possible, stay off the roads today. If you must drive, drive slowly and always give first responders, snowplows, and public works workers plenty of space,” the State of Maine said. Governor Janet Mills said. In the post of X They warned that power outages would continue across much of the state Thursday morning.
More than a foot of snow has already fallen in New England, with Moretown, Vermont, receiving 24 inches in less than three days, and Shapley, Maine, receiving 21.5 inches.
The heavy snow has stopped, but several more centimeters of snow has fallen. The National Weather Service says it is expected to cover large areas of Maine and New Hampshire. Winds will continue to be strong, with gusts up to 35 mph. A winter weather warning is in effect for each state until 8 a.m. ET Friday.
“A low-pressure system in the Gulf of Maine will continue to produce snow with gusty northeast winds through this evening,” the National Weather Service said in a statement. “This system will remain in the Gulf of Maine through Saturday, with continued snow and rain possible, but most of the snow accumulation will end tonight.”
The National Weather Service said power outages are expected to last longer as light snow falls overnight and severe driving conditions are expected Friday morning. “Winds will also continue to be strong and the weight of the fresh snow may cause more branches and limbs to fall,” the Bureau of Meteorology added.
In York County, the southernmost state of Maine bordering New Hampshire, the storm left many roads impassable with debris and downed power lines blocking them, emergency officials said in a post on X, calling the area extremely dangerous. warning of dangerous driving conditions.
State and local governments in Maine closed offices ahead of Thursday's expected severe weather, and some school districts, including the Westbrook School District, canceled in-person classes in favor of remote learning. Meanwhile, some school districts, including the Gorham School District, have canceled classes entirely.
Hundreds of schools and government offices in New Hampshire also announced closures or remote learning, according to CNN affiliate WMUR.
First responders in the town of East Kingston, New Hampshire, reported a tree had fallen on a mobile home. set off The East Kingston Fire Department said the building was a “total loss.”
“We are thankful that no one was injured,” Chief Ed Warren said. “We encourage all residents to remain vigilant during today's storm. Strong winds and rain can cause unpredictable and often disastrous weather, so we ask everyone to stay safe. Thank you.”
More than 289,000 utility customers in Maine remain in the dark early Friday, According to poweroutage.us. More than 121,000 New Hampshire residents were without power.
Winter storm warnings and advisories for parts of New England have been extended until Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
A nor'easter, a storm that moves along the east coast of the United States and typically has coastal winds from the northeast, has produced periods of heavy, wet snow mixed with sleet. Rain is expected to last until 6 a.m. in Vermont and upstate New York and until at least 11 a.m. in parts of Maine, with another 6 inches to more than a foot expected overnight in parts of the Northeast, the newspaper said. is expected. national weather bureau.
Meanwhile, another storm moving across the western United States will continue to bring gusty to strong winds, low-lying rain and high-altitude snow to the region through Friday, before moving into the central United States, the weather service said.
An estimated 18 million people are under freeze or frost warnings in parts of the Central Plains and Ohio River Valley, according to the National Weather Service.
“Frost and freezing conditions can kill crops and other sensitive plants and damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the weather service said. Note.
A freeze warning is in effect for much of eastern Missouri until 8 a.m. Friday, with temperatures expected to drop into the low 20s. Cities affected include Jefferson City, Columbia, and Hannibal.
Meanwhile, a frost advisory is in effect for southeastern Kansas, southwestern and southcentral Missouri, and northcentral Arkansas until 8 a.m. Friday. Temperatures will drop into the low to mid 30s with frost. Cities such as Springfield, Branson and Hot Springs will be affected.
A freeze watch is also in effect for parts of southern Indiana, southwestern Ohio and central Kentucky from late Friday night into Saturday morning. Temperatures are expected to drop into the mid to upper 20s in the region. This watch includes the cities of Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Louisville.
Strong winds bring fire danger to southern and central highlands
In the High Plains, an approaching cold front poses a completely different danger.
An estimated 11 million people are under red flag warnings and fire weather watches in parts of the southern and central highlands, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
With relative humidity in the single digits and drought conditions continuing, winds exceeding 30 mph will create very dry conditions and significant fire danger.
The threat area includes parts of west Texas and the Texas Panhandle, central and northern New Mexico, western Kansas, and eastern Colorado. Cities like Denver, Amarillo and Roswell are at risk of fire-prone weather.
The worst conditions are expected in eastern Colorado, where sustained wind speeds could exceed 30 mph.
“Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread,” the Storm Prediction Center said. “Avoid outdoor bonfires and other activities that can produce sparks and start wildfires.”
