Northern U.S. braces for weekend storms as heavy rain forces major delays at New York City airports

The tri-state area is currently experiencing heavy rain and strong winds due to a powerful weather system on Saturday, while northern New England is being blanketed with snow by a fast-moving storm.

A flood watch is in effect for the New York City metro area through central and southern New Jersey, with the potential for up to 4 inches of rain in some areas.

The heaviest rainfall is expected in the afternoon and early evening, with minor flooding possible in low-lying areas like roads and yards.

Isolated flooding is also expected late Saturday into Sunday.

The New York City area is under a wind advisory, with winds up to 25 mph expected throughout the day, and even stronger gusts of 45-50 mph anticipated.

The National Weather Service warns that these winds could cause flying debris, power outages, and send unsecured objects airborne.

Major delays are being experienced at New York City airports, with arrivals at John F. Kennedy International Airport delayed by an average of three hours as of 5 p.m. EDT.

Philadelphia has already broken a daily rainfall record for March, receiving 3.06 inches of rain, the wettest day in March since 1872.

In northern New England, a fast-moving storm is bringing snow, with more than 30 million people under winter alerts from the northern Rockies to New England.

Light to moderate snow is expected in the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes, while northern New England could see snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches.

The Maine Emergency Management Agency is warning of hazardous travel conditions due to mixed precipitation in some areas.

In the Twin Cities area, more than 12 inches of snow could accumulate from the storm, adding to the 2.9 inches from a previous snowstorm.

Over 80,000 power outages have been reported statewide in New York, with most concentrated near Albany, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.

She advises New Yorkers to stay off the roads, avoid downed power lines, and not crowd snow plows.

Meanwhile, a storm moving east down the California coast brought rain to the Bay Area and snow to the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

The same front is forecast to bring heavy snow and strong winds to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with possible blizzard conditions.

From Kansas to Texas, scattered severe thunderstorms are expected on Sunday.