Up to 18 Inches of Snow Expected to Blanket East

Blizzard warnings were posted for much of New England on Monday as a northeaster gathered strength along the East Coast, threatening up to 18 inches of snow during the second week of spring.

“It’s going to be the worst storm of the year,” said Michael Dion, a National Weather Service spokesman in Taunton, Mass. “We have not seen real heavy, wet snow anywhere this winter. Also, this storm’s going to be a real slow mover, which means it’s going to be of a long duration.”

Many schools and businesses closed early for the day from upstate New York to Maine. New Hampshire legislators postponed hearings scheduled for today.

Nearly 70 snowplows were sent out to keep the Maine Turnpike clear. “But the only travel we’re recommending is between the kitchen and the living room,” said state safety director Margaret Trueworthy.

New York state police reported dozens of traffic accidents because of the severe weather.

Fourteen inches of snow had already fallen by Monday afternoon at the Hunter Mountain ski resort in the Catskills in New York, and up to 17 inches was on the ground in neighboring counties.

Some ski areas are considering reopening for as long as the new snow lasts. A number of resorts closed for the season during the last two weeks.

Ten inches of snow blanketed New Jersey’s High Point, which stands only 1,803 feet above sea level.

And as much as 12 to 18 inches of snow was forecast by today along the coast of Maine.

Weather also caused problems in the Pacific Northwest, as thousands of customers had no electricity after a storm whipped high winds through the region, killing two people and overturning small boats.

The wind eased through the day Monday as the storm moved eastward, carrying its strong gusts into northern Nevada.