Schools in the northeast are closed because of a rapidly moving winter storm

Snowfall and Winds from the Boston and New York City Nor’easter During the First Snowstorm of the Winter 2004-2007 Season

The nor’easter should rapidly push east and away from the Mid-Atlantic coast by Tuesday evening, but forecasters say a new, separate storm is expected to arrive across the Northwest over the next couple of days. The remainder of the country is expected to stay dry and tranquil later in the week.

The storm has produced heavy snowfall on Tuesday — as much as 2 inches per hour in some areas — and gusty winds from the central Appalachians to southern New England. The snow should abate in New York and Connecticut by late afternoon according to the NWS Weather Prediction Center.

The National Weather Service says some parts of central Pennsylvania and southern New England could get 2 inches per hour on Tuesday.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declared a snow emergency, ordering municipal buildings and public schools closed on Tuesday and instituting a parking ban on major roads.

“With the arrival of our first major snowstorm this winter, City teams are prepared to clear our roadways and respond to any emergencies during the storm,” Wu said in a statement.

She suggested that people keep an eye on parking restrictions so they can clear the roads as quickly as possible, and check their friends and family to make sure they stay safe.

The National Weather Service predicts that heavy, wet snow coupled with strong winds of up to 40 mph will damage trees and power lines, and continue to disrupt travel.

Forecasters also warned of the potential for moderate coastal flooding Tuesday night at high tide along the Jersey Shore and in parts of New York and New England.

On Monday, the storm system was tracking through the Southeast and the Ohio Valley. Parts of the Southwest were predicted to get up to 6 inches of snow, as well as showers and storms in the Southeast.

The Oklahoma City metro area saw several inches of snowfall overnight Sunday, with a small area near Lawton in southwest Oklahoma receiving between 8 inches to a foot of snow, the NWS said.

The new storm system, arriving Wednesday and Thursday, will bring heavy rainfall in the Pacific Northwest down into northern California. The heavy precipitation from the storm will manifest as heavy snow further inland over higher terrain, gradually making its way to the northern Rockies.

New York City Mayor Adams advised that people stay off the roads, as snow could melt and freeze through Wednesday morning, potentially creating dangerous driving conditions.