Winter Storm Stella Creates Blizzard Conditions, Massive Snowfall In Northeast, Midwest

Winter storm, Stella, is likely to hit Washington, Frederick, Carroll, northern Baltimore, northern Harford, Cecil, northwestern Montgomery and western Howard counties. A warning has been issued by the National Weather Service, that says that storm will begin at 7 p.m. Monday and last through 2 p.m. Tuesday in these areas.

Read: 'Hurricane'-Like Winds Cause Millions To Lose Power in Michigan

Winter storm Stella, which is likely to bring the season's biggest snowfall and blizzard conditions to parts of the Northeast, following snowfall during the weekend, will also hit the Midwest and parts of South. The storm, called as a potential nor'easter, comes as a shock to many after a mild winter and a comfortable warm February. The nation witnessed its second-warmest February since climate tracking began in 1895.

Stella could become a weather 'bomb' — an unofficial term used for a low pressure system whose central pressure falls 24 millibars in 24 hours in a process known as explosive cyclogenesis — as frequently nor'easters are known to be so due to cold air surging southward from Canada, combined with the warm ocean waters from the Gulf Stream, according to the Weather Channel.

Blizzard warnings for coastal regions including New York City and upstate New York Sunday have also been given by the the National Weather Service. This may be the heaviest snowstorm in this season in New York City, which saw 10.9 inches from winter storm Niko Feb. 9, according to the Weather Channel meteorologist Brian Donegan.

The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert for Monday at 11 p.m. to help locals prepare for Tuesday’s storm. The sanitation department coordinates with the Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation on snow clearing protocol.

“We are monitoring this storm closely and will update New Yorkers soon,” Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted Sunday.

New Yorkers began stocking up on groceries, salt and emergency supplies as they prepared for a snow day inside.

Air travel will be disrupted, with more than 1,500 flights grounded ahead of the storm. Airlines had already canceled more than 725 flights for Monday and 815 more for Tuesday due to the upcoming severe weather, USA Today reported. More cancellations will be done, with Southwest planning to stop almost all of its Northeast flights Tuesday. Other airlines are likely to follow the same move. Infact, major airlines will allow ticketed travelers affected by the storm to change their flights without an additional fee.