Dec 2 2025 Nor’easter Brings First Seasonal Snow, Fatalities and State Emergencies
Updated (2 articles)
Storm Arrival and Widespread Snowfall Across Interior Northeast The fast‑moving nor’easter entered the Midwest and Northeast on Dec 2, 2025, delivering the first widespread snow of the season to interior New England and the Northeast, with some forecasts calling for up to 10 inches of accumulation [1][2]. Snow began falling early Tuesday in parts of New York and Pennsylvania, while New York City saw only cold rain as warm Atlantic air prevented measurable snowfall [1]. State officials warned of hazardous travel conditions as the storm spread eastward, prompting winter‑storm warnings through early Wednesday [1].
Severe Travel Disruptions and Road Crashes in Midwest States Missouri experienced the storm’s deadliest impact, with the State Highway Patrol reporting more than 350 crashes, 800 service calls, 200 stranded motorists, and a fatal crash that killed a 21‑year‑old driver near Jefferson City [2]. Ohio and Indiana also logged heavy snowfall—5.7 inches in Saint Marys, Ohio, and 6.8 inches in Rushville, Indiana—causing slowed commutes and road closures across the Ohio Valley [2][1]. Kentucky recorded 4.5 inches in Florence, adding to slick road conditions that prompted Governor Andy Beshear to urge cautious driving [2].
State Declarations of Snow Emergencies and Travel Advisories More than two dozen Ohio counties, including Franklin, issued Level 1‑3 snow emergencies, limiting travel and closing non‑essential roads [1]. Hocking County, Ohio, briefly escalated to a Level 3 Snow Emergency before downgrading to Level 2, keeping many routes hazardous [2]. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Janet Mills publicly advised residents to avoid driving, while Kentucky Governor Beshear posted a snow‑covered mansion photo to reinforce his cautionary message [1][2].
Rescues and Hazardous Conditions on Specific Roadways Emergency crews rescued a tractor‑trailer driver whose cab hung off a bridge after skidding on icy West Virginia roads in Mason County around 5 a.m., and the roadway was later reopened [1]. The National Weather Service in Cleveland warned that lake‑effect mesovortices over Lake Erie produced swirling snow bands that reduced visibility and created additional travel hazards near Cleveland [2].
Record Cold Temperatures Expected Behind the Storm Forecasts projected record‑breaking lows for the Midwest on Thursday, with temperatures potentially dropping to 11 °F in Des Moines and 7 °F in Cedar Rapids, while Chicago and Indianapolis also faced near‑record cold lows [2].
Sources
-
1.
Newsweek: Winter Storm Continues to Impact Northeast, Snowfall Begins in New York and Pennsylvania: Details the storm’s progression, rain in NYC, Ohio snow emergencies, West Virginia truck‑driver rescue, and travel warnings from Governors Hochul and Mills
-
2.
CNN: Winter storm delivers first widespread snow of season to the Northeast: Highlights the first seasonal snow, Missouri fatality and crashes, lake‑effect mesovortices, record cold forecasts, and Governor Beshear’s snow‑cover photo warning
Timeline
Dec 1, 2025 – A fast‑moving winter storm delivers the first widespread snow of the season to the interior Northeast and New England, dumping up to 10 inches in some locations while bringing 4 inches to parts of Missouri, where the Missouri State Highway Patrol records more than 350 crashes, 800 service calls and 200 stranded motorists, and a 21‑year‑old driver dies after the car leaves a steep embankment near Jefferson City [1].
Dec 1, 2025 – Heavy snowfall accumulates in the Ohio Valley, with 5.7 inches in Saint Marys, Ohio, 6.8 inches in Rushville, Indiana, and 4.5 inches in Florence, Kentucky, prompting a Level 3 Snow Emergency in Hocking County, Ohio (later downgraded to Level 2), and Governor Andy Beshear posts a photo of his snow‑covered mansion urging residents to drive slowly [1].
Dec 1, 2025 – Lake‑effect snow mesovortices form over Lake Erie, producing swirling bands that reduce visibility as the National Weather Service in Cleveland warns of 1–2 inches of snow moving inland, while forecasts predict record‑breaking cold with lows as low as 7 °F in Cedar Rapids and 11 °F in Des Moines on Thursday [1].
Dec 2, 2025 – A powerful nor’easter advances across the Midwest and Northeast, triggering a winter storm warning through early Wednesday and bringing heavy snow and icy roads to New York and Pennsylvania, where forecasters warn commuters of several inches of accumulation and hazardous travel conditions [2].
Dec 2, 2025 – New York City experiences only cold rain and low clouds, with temperatures around 40 °F, as warm Atlantic air prevents measurable snowfall despite inland snow in surrounding areas [2].
Dec 2, 2025 – More than two dozen Ohio counties, including Franklin, issue snow emergencies ranging from Level 1 to Level 3, urging limited travel as central Ohio records 3–5 inches of snow and road conditions deteriorate [2].
Dec 2, 2025 – Emergency crews rescue a tractor‑trailer driver whose cab hangs off a bridge after skidding on icy roads in Mason County, West Virginia, around 5 a.m.; the driver is unharmed and the roadway reopens shortly after [2].
Dec 2, 2025 – Governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Janet Mills of New Jersey issue travel advisories, urging residents to avoid driving as the storm continues to disrupt regional transportation and several counties declare states of emergency [2].
Dec 4, 2025 (Thursday) – Forecasts call for record‑low temperatures across the Midwest, with Des Moines expected to hit 11 °F and Cedar Rapids 7 °F, potentially breaking daily low records and intensifying the storm’s impact on already hazardous travel conditions [1].
External resources (4 links)
- https://www.facebook.com/hockingcommissioners/ (cited 2 times)
- https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17YDkLuULD/ (cited 2 times)
- https://x.com/NWSCLE/status/1995893102620352798 (cited 2 times)