East Coast Storm Wreaks Havoc on New England Ski Resorts with Power Outages and Warm Weather
A powerful storm sweeping up the East Coast has left New England grappling with power outages and unseasonally warm weather, creating challenges for ski resorts and residents alike.
Storm Impacts Across the Region
The storm, fueled by an atmospheric river carrying moisture from the tropics, unleashed heavy rain and strong winds across New England. In Maine, over 57,000 customers were left without electricity, while nearly 8,000 residents in Massachusetts experienced power outages, according to poweroutage.us. Utility crews worked through the night to restore power as wind gusts intensified.
Derek Schroeter, a National Weather Service forecaster, attributed the extreme conditions to a deepening low-pressure system, which raised concerns about a potential “bomb cyclone,” characterized by rapid intensification within 24 hours.
Ski Resorts Battle Nature’s Wrath
For ski resort operators, the timing couldn’t be worse, with the holiday season around the corner. Jamie Cobbett, marketing director at Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire, described the rain as “moist wet weather” and expressed optimism about recovering the slopes.
Jen Roberts, co-owner of Onion River Outdoors in Vermont, highlighted the region’s unpredictable weather, noting how five days of enticing snowfall vanished almost overnight. Despite the challenges, some skiers like Marcus Caston at Vermont’s Sugarbush found the softer snow fun and manageable.
Weather Variability Across New England
New England’s weather delivered a mix of freezing rain, heavy downpours, and unseasonably warm temperatures, with Portland, Maine, reaching over 50°F on Wednesday. Boston College student Alex Hobbs expressed concerns about travel disruptions caused by wind, rain, and possible snow as she prepared to return to San Francisco.
Broader Weather Patterns
While New England battled rain and wind, other regions weren’t spared. Heavy lake-effect snow blanketed parts of Michigan, while dangerously cold temperatures gripped the Upper Midwest.
New England’s volatile weather remains a reminder of the region’s resilience and adaptability, even as it disrupts holiday preparations and the ski season.