Winter Storm Harper changes course and intensifies as it moves from Midwest

Winter Storm Harper is on course to bring snow and strong winds to New York on Saturday after wreaking havoc in the West and Great Plains.

Storm warnings remain in effect for parts of northern New Jersey, upstate New York and Connecticut.

However the winter weather watch was changed to an advisory for New York City, parts of New Jersey and Long Island.

The National Weather Service said snow and sleet of one to three inches and ice is expected on Saturday evening. 

Men clears the snow inside the skating rink in Millennium Park, after a snow storm in Chicago today

Bikers crossing Park Street at the intersection of University Avenue on Friday in Wisconsin 

Bikers crossing Park Street at the intersection of University Avenue on Friday in Wisconsin 

Significant icing may occur just north and west of the city, which could lead to and power lines, power outages and very slippery travel and walking conditions.

Steady precipitation will wind down by midday on Sunday. 

Where snow turned to rain or freezing rain, the precipitation could change back to snow or flurries before ending.

It is expected to turn windy and sharply colder by nightfall with a potential flash freeze. 

Monday, which is Martin Luther King Day, is expected to be blustery and bitterly cold with intervals of clouds and sun, along with the chance of a snow shower.

Harper’s heaviest snow so far has been in Sierra Nevada,  California where five inches of snow fell in just two hours on Saturday morning.

The storm is passing through central and eastern states through this weekend, delivering a widespread swath of snow.

At least a foot of snow fell in southeastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and eastern Wisconsin, including a report of 15 inches near Heron Lake, Minnesota. 

Several accidents have been reported on Interstate 44 in Missouri due to the snowy and treacherous conditions on Saturday morning. 

Winter Storm Harper is on course to bring snow and strong winds to New York on Saturday after wreaking havoc in the West and Great Plains

Winter Storm Harper is on course to bring snow and strong winds to New York on Saturday after wreaking havoc in the West and Great Plains

The National Weather Service said snow and sleet of one to three inches and ice is expected on Saturday evening

The National Weather Service said snow and sleet of one to three inches and ice is expected on Saturday evening

Freezing rain also resulted in ice accumulation leading to downed power lines and sagging trees in parts of central Indiana

Freezing rain also resulted in ice accumulation leading to downed power lines and sagging trees in parts of central Indiana

Freezing rain also resulted in ice accumulation leading to downed power lines and sagging trees in parts of central Indiana, including Winchester, Losantville and Farmland. 

Strong winds in parts of the Plains and Midwest are causing reduced visibility due to blowing and drifting of snow.  

Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been posted by the National Weather Service from Arkansas and southern Missouri northeastward through the southern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.

Cities included in the winter storm warnings include Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cleveland, Buffalo, Worcester and Portland (ME).

Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been posted by the National Weather Service from Arkansas and southern Missouri

Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been posted by the National Weather Service from Arkansas and southern Missouri

Sunday will be much colder in New York with lows around 8 above and gusts up to 35 mph

Sunday will be much colder in New York with lows around 8 above and gusts up to 35 mph

While the storm will occur completely during the extended Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, some schools that are not closed on Monday may be forced to do so due to the prevailing dangerous cold, blowing and drifting snow and icy road conditions.

In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy announced a state of emergency and travel restrictions that will take effect at noon Saturday. 

The snowstorm is expected to hit the Garden State and the rest of the New York City metro area on Saturday evening, New York City’s FOX 5 reported. 

In Iowa, the Department of Transportation warned that visibility was less than a half-mile in many locations due to snow and wind. 

Heavy equipment crews work to clear Provo Canyon in Utah after an avalanche on Friday 

Heavy equipment crews work to clear Provo Canyon in Utah after an avalanche on Friday 

Snow was also starting to pile up in South Dakota, as authorities warned drivers to give plows extra room.

In Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf declared a state of emergency Friday, releasing resources for combating and recovering from the storm’s effects, AccuWeather reported.

‘We’ll be aggressive in managing this storm,’ Wolf wrote in a Twitter message.

‘Snowfall rates could exceed 1-2 inches per hour. Our top concern is the safety of residents. Postpone travel if you can, and be aware of changing conditions.’

As of Saturday over 9,000 flights were cancelled with more than 2,000 delays, according to FlightAware.com.  

 

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