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Subscribe to RSSPeople across the Midwest are digging out from the snow after a big storm passed through, resulting in difficult commutes and school closures. NBC's John Yang reports.
Parts of New England were expected to be hit by heavy snowfalls while heavy rain was threatening to cause flash floods in parts of the Southeast, forecasters warned.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch at about 10 p.m. ET Friday for southern New Hampshire, northern Rhode Island, and much of central, northern and eastern Massachusetts, including Boston.
It said the area could be hit by up to 8 inches of snow, which some parts potentially getting nearly 10 inches.
“Snow will overspread the region tomorrow [Saturday] afternoon. The heaviest snow will occur tomorrow night into Sunday morning, when 1 to 2 inch per hour snowfall rates will be possible,” the NWS said.
“The biggest concern is that this will be a heavy wet snow. This will bring the potential for downed tree limbs and scattered power outages. Untreated roads are also expected to become snow covered and slippery,” the weather service said.
Temperatures were expected to be in the lower 30s with winds of 5-10 mph.
“Anyone traveling in the next 24 to 36 hours should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to modify travel plans should winter weather develop,” the NWS notice added.
NBC.Connecticut.com meteorologist Bob Maxon said the state would also see snow and rain from the weekend storm. He expected up to 4 inches of snow or more in the Litchfield Hills and northeast Connecticut.
South of Connecticut, rain was expected to be the problem.
"Days of heavy rainfall could lead to river flooding and flash flooding in the Southeast," the NWS said.
At 5:20 a.m. ET, the weather service issued a flash flood warning for Geneva and Houston counties in southeast Alabama, saying heavy showers and thunderstorms had been detected.
Weather.com reported that it expected that an areas from New York City to Philadelphia would “primarily” see rain.
Record snowfall in Wichita, Kansas, creates havoc at the airport where crews had to dig out a plane stuck on the tarmac. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
It said it expected 2 to 5 inches of snow in Boston, adding “the amount of rain versus snow that falls will dictate whether snowfall amounts are on the higher or lower end of this range.”
The storm hit parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan on Friday.
In Minnesota alone, the State Patrol said there were 124 crashes during the morning commute, killing one driver and injuring 23, NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis reported.
Pacific Northwest storm
Meanwhile, a storm in the Pacific Northwest was expected to bring strong winds through Saturday and dump 2 to 3 feet of snow on the Cascade Mountains through Monday, the NWS said.
Much of the Midwest is covered in a blanket of white as a massive winter storm has covered parts of Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas with over a foot of snow. NBC's John Yang reports.
“Considerable blowing and drifting snow and an increased avalanche risk are expected in the high terrain for portions of the region,” it said.
The NWS issued winter storm warnings for parts of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah.
"Periods of heavy snowfall" were also expected Saturday in parts of Hawaii, according to another winter storm warning notice.
Up to 12 inches were possible at high altitudes in an area including Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, with temperatures in the mid-20s to mid-30s.
Related:
PhotoBlog: Winter whiteout slams central US
This story was originally published on Sat Feb 23, 2013 4:14 AM EST