Before Winter Storm Hercules is finished with the US, roughly 1 in 3 Americans will have seen snow in the early days of 2014.
The massive storm dumped more than a foot of snow on parts of the Midwest on New Years Day, and is now slamming the Northeast.
According to meteorologist Chris Dolce, Hercules could reach blizzard proportions in some areas: “The Northeast I-95 corridor will feel the worst impacts from Hercules Thursday evening into Friday morning. Gusty winds will combine with the snow to produce poor visibility and dangerous travel conditions. Localized blizzard conditions are possible on Long Island and in coastal parts of southeast Massachusetts.”
Illinois saw at least six inches of snow on Wednesday, with some areas reporting up to a foot. The storm caused delays into and out of Chicago airports.
According to the Chicago Tribune, it’s the most snow the city has had since the blizzard of 2011 – and it’s still snowing. Thanks to lake-effect snow, totals could reach two feet before the snow stops overnight.
30 mi WNW of downtown Chicago. #Hercules MT @MVP_ATC: Streamwood, IL pic.twitter.com/XGlnEBXARw
— TWC Breaking (@TWCBreaking) January 2, 2014
The Indianapolis area has received more than five inches of snow since this morning, according to the Indianapolis Star. Weather conditions are responsible for multiple traffic accidents throughout the state.
As Hercules moves out of the Midwest, the Northeast is buttoning down in preparation.
“This will be a full-blown Nor’easter,” said winter weather expert Tom Niziol.
Hercules has found College Park ❄️❄️❄️⛄️ pic.twitter.com/4Wy2uv0VpV
— Maryland Athletics (@umterps) January 2, 2014
Hercules is howling but Boston Common looks peaceful. (via @ASacco) #BOSnow pic.twitter.com/OzcJdDwBy7
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) January 2, 2014
Image via Twitter