A powerful winter storm has descended upon the Northeast, blanketing communities in New England with heavy snow and freezing rain on Sunday morning. Residents across the region have been busy clearing sidewalks and driveways, using shovels and snowblowers to combat the challenging weather conditions.

Winter storm warnings and watches have been issued throughout the Northeast, with icy roads creating hazardous travel conditions as far south as North Carolina. The storm has resulted in power outages, with over 13,000 customers in California and more than 16,000 customers in Massachusetts currently without electricity.

According to the National Weather Service, some communities in Massachusetts have already seen nearly a foot of snow accumulation. Coastal areas, such as Boston, have experienced lighter snowfall, reporting just a couple of inches. Nevertheless, snow is expected to continue throughout the day, with certain areas likely to receive over a foot of snow.

The storm has also reached Maine, where snow totals have reached up to 12 inches in certain locations. Southern New Hampshire and southwestern Maine have experienced even higher amounts of snow. Strong wind gusts of up to 35 mph may lead to blowing and drifting snow. In Vermont, moderate to heavy snowfall is anticipated, with total accumulations projected to range between 6 and 12 inches.

The National Weather Service has classified this storm as a "major winter storm," and it is expected to persist into Sunday evening. New England will continue to experience snow, while areas in the central Appalachian mountains will likely see rain and freezing rain.

While New York City predominantly received rain, counties to the north and west of the city have reported double-digit snow totals. Millbrook in Dutchess County recorded a foot of snow, while Port Jervis in Orange County measured 13 inches.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed readiness for the storm, noting that two-thirds of the state were expected to receive at least 8 inches of snow. Fortunately, the more densely populated areas of Long Island and New York City were largely unaffected.

In the West, a winter storm warning was in effect for the Sierra Nevada region from south of Yosemite National Park to north of Reno. The forecast predicted heavy snowfall of up to 20 inches in the mountains around Lake Tahoe, accompanied by gusts of up to 100 mph on ridgetops.

As the storm progresses, it will bring heavy mountain snow and coastal rain to central and Southern California before moving towards the Southwest and the southern Rockies.

While some warnings are being lifted and restrictions are being eased, motorists are still advised to exercise caution due to spotty freezing rain and black ice in certain parts of southeast Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey.

Looking ahead, forecasters are warning of another storm expected to impact the Northeast on Tuesday into Wednesday. This storm could bring several inches of rain to already saturated ground, potentially resulting in flooding. Strong winds may also lead to toppled trees and power lines, while coastal areas may experience flooding as well.