A powerful storm system brought springtime snowfall to northern New England, leaving about 350,000 customers without power in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The storm began to wane on Friday morning, but the National Weather Service warned that snow and rain would continue to fall through the weekend, with some areas expected to receive four to eight inches of new snow. Progress in restoring power was slow, with more than 250,000 customers still without power in Maine, over 90,000 in New Hampshire, and about 10,000 in Vermont. This was the second time in two weeks that parts of Maine and New Hampshire experienced widespread power outages due to a storm.
The storm brought over a foot of snow to much of the region, with York County, Maine reporting nearly 20 inches of snow by Thursday night. Meteorologist David Roth predicted that the storm would linger in the area, increasing the risk of coastal flooding. Air travel was also disrupted, with over 400 flights canceled on Thursday and more than 500 canceled by Friday morning. In total, over 8,500 flights were delayed, causing significant travel disruptions.
Despite the unexpected snowfall in April, meteorologist Rodney Chai from the Weather Service in Burlington, Vt., reassured residents that snow at this time of year is not uncommon. He noted that the recent mild winter may have led to a false sense of security among residents, who may have been caught off-guard by the storm so soon after the Easter holiday. However, good weather is expected for the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, with temperatures in the mid-50s and sunny skies predicted across northern New England.
Residents and authorities in the affected areas were urged to exercise caution and prepare for potentially hazardous conditions as the storm continued to weaken but linger in the region. Power companies worked tirelessly to restore electricity to the thousands of customers still without power, though progress was slow due to the extent of the damage. The storm served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather in New England and the importance of being prepared for all types of weather events, even in the springtime.
In conclusion, the powerful storm system that hit northern New England left a significant number of customers without power and brought heavy snowfall to the region. Despite the challenges posed by the storm, residents were reminded of the need to be vigilant and prepared for adverse weather conditions, regardless of the time of year. As the storm gradually weakened, authorities and residents worked together to restore normalcy to the affected areas and minimize the impact of the storm on daily life. Ultimately, the storm was a reminder of the resilience of New Englanders in the face of unpredictable weather events and the importance of being prepared for any situation.
