New England mops up as snow falls on East Coast

Accumulation of 4-8 inches of snow is expected, forecasters said.

Eastern portions of MA could be hit with up to 18 inches of snow through Tuesday morning, while up to eight inches could fall in part of Rhode Island and CT, the National Weather Service said.

The National Weather Service issued a winter-storm warning for the region late Monday, calling for the potential for several inches of snow, but acknowledging the forecast was anything but certain. Authorities closed the northbound side of the interstate in Madison.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker told a news conference, “I didn’t realize until I went out back… how bad the waves are over the wall”.

Most of central New Jersey is under a winter weather advisory, including Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex and Monmouth counties, where snowfall totals are projected to range from 3 to 6 inches.

But schools that were closed on Monday are reopening.

Winter storm warnings were in effect from NY through coastal ME and officials in Philadelphia and NY said they would be sending police out to encourage homeless people sleeping outdoors to come in to city shelters.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy skies and scattered snow showers will continue for Tuesday, with a cold high temperature of 28 degrees.

Snowflakes are still flying today (Tuesday) as New England residents continue mopping up from Monday’s storm, although little additional accumulation is expected. Otherwise, sunny skies and very low humidity levels are forecast this afternoon with highs in the lower 60’s. Winds will be sustained at 5-15 m.p.h. with gusts to 25 m.p.h. Gusty winds of up to 60 miles per hour are expected with some whiteout conditions. “3-6″ is possible around Philly, into South NJ and DE with 1-3” closer to the Lehigh Valley and along the immediate coast. The heaviest snowfall is expected during Monday’s morning commute through the afternoon. The snow could even stretch into Wednesday.