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Major snowstorm moving into Northeast could drop as much as 2 feet in some places

Wintry Weather New York
Posted at 4:53 PM, Dec 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-16 23:10:14-05

NEW YORK — The Northeast is preparing for a major snowstorm at a key moment in the coronavirus pandemic.

It's coming days into the beginning of a massive vaccination campaign and in the thick of a virus surge that has throngs of people seeking tests per day.

The storm is poised to drop as much as 2 feet of snow in some places by Thursday.

The pandemic is adding new complexities to officials’ preparations, from deciding whether to close testing sites to figuring out how to handle plowing as outdoor dining platforms crowd New York City streets.

Still, officials say they don't expect the winter blast to disrupt vaccine distribution.

New York City is also preparing its mass transit and school systems for the oncoming snowstorm. The city’s public schools will remote learn Thursday instead of learning in-person. Transit agencies in the area are shifting schedules to accommodate those who must travel.

As of Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. ET, the heaviest snow fell in Central Pennsylvania, with Dushore, Pennsylvania, reporting 18.5 inches of snow. The area was still being blanketed by snow. Locales around Philadelphia and New York City reported 4 to 6 inches of snow, while areas around Pittsburgh had over 6 inches.

The storm is expected to taper off by noon Thursday, WPIX reports.