After wreaking havoc in the south, a massive ice and snow storm will move northeast into the Mid-Atlantic states starting Wednesday night.
Snowfall will hit Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City in the evening, before spreading north to New England Thursday morning, The Weather Channel reported.
See also: Why the Ice Storm in the South Is Such a Big Deal
"A strengthening area of low pressure will move up the East Coast on Thursday bringing with it significant winter weather from the Southeast to New England," according to the National Weather Service. Ice-storm and winter-storm warnings are in effect for several states, which will experience dangerous road conditions, the service said.
Storm slowly moving north along the East Coast. Latest forecasts at http://t.co/C1P6kZiMX3 pic.twitter.com/rg0NWDVSQB
— NWS Eastern RegionHQ (@NWSEasternRegHQ) February 12, 2014
The Weather Channel estimated that 5 to 12 inches of snow is expected to hit parts of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City and New England. Areas with higher elevation could even get up to 18 inches of snow. Major cities Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City will also experience major snowfall, which may mix with or change to sleet or rain, according to the channel.
Moderate to heavy snow already developing in DC area. Gonna be an interesting night... #pax #dcwx #vawx pic.twitter.com/2H1fbYEGqx
— Andrew Freedman (@afreedma) February 13, 2014
RT @Glenn_Carter: L St NW at 5th pic.twitter.com/zfvfdItqpA
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) February 13, 2014
Due to the storm, federal government offices in Washington, D.C., local D.C. government offices, as well as multiple public schools and colleges will be closed Thursday. However, schools in New York City will remain open.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency due to the "severe winter weather" that was expected to arrive Wednesday night. Christie also announced that state offices will be closed Thursday for all non-essential employees.
“This winter storm is expected to arrive tonight and last through early Friday morning, and the heavy snow will create hazardous travel conditions across the state,” Christie said in a statement. “I’ve authorized state officials to continue all necessary actions, and my administration will monitor conditions throughout the remainder of the storm. I encourage all New Jerseyans to drive carefully and remain off the roads if possible so that our first responders and public safety officials can safely respond to any emergency situations.”
The southern United States is still coping with the effects of the storm. U.S. President Barack Obama declared South Carolina a federal disaster area, with nearly 230,000 customers reportedly without power.
@JimCantore @wxbrad Here is a shot of the Stateville area, I-77 to the right, from the Phantom. pic.twitter.com/PO2v083jBI
— Mark Sudduth (@hurricanetrack) February 13, 2014
A college basketball game scheduled for Wednesday night between Duke University and the University of North Carolina was postponed due to the weather.
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