The 2017 Blizzard Is On Its Way Out

As the Northeast continues to feel Winter Storm Stella's wrath, questions about the storm's trajectory and predicted length are heavy on the minds of those who woke up to multiple feet of snow. Some may wonder when Winter Storm Stella will end, and the answer to that question depends on which side of the Atlantic you're on.

The good news for those in the U.S. hit by this massive nor'easter is that some meteorologists predict that Stella should begin tapering off by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, with some sleet and potential snow for the most heavily affected regions. The bad news is for the UK — meteorologists predict that arms from the weather system that comprises Stella could reach the UK by Friday, but that it will be much weaker and likely just rain and colder spring temperatures than the blizzard conditions seen in the U.S.

That said, Stella is continuing to drop snow at record speeds, and blizzard warnings are still in effect in parts of the tristate area. Weather.com predicts that the worst of the storm will be behind the Northeast by Wednesday morning, but that residents should stay alert and safe due to continued below-freezing temperatures and the possibility of slower snowfall into Wednesday.

Despite fears in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and even upper Southeast about Stella's impact, parts of the forecasting for this storm appear to have gotten it a bit wrong. Along with reported "bust" forecasting for New York City, the area around Washington, D.C. in particular seems to have been forecast incorrectly — so much so that President Donald Trump reportedly called D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to his office to discuss contingency plans, despite no president ever having summoned a D.C. mayor for any emergency purpose (including the 9/11 attacks).

In the Northeast (especially in areas north and west of NYC), however, it was a different story. Record snowfalls of up to 30 inches were seen in less-populated parts of the Northeast. The Midwest also received the brunt of the storm, with at least two people reported dead in Milwaukee while removing snow from their driveways.

While meteorologists around the Web seem confident that Stella is on her way out, the Snowmageddon panic in NYC, D.C., and Philadelphia serves as a reminder that meteorology is not an exact science, and that weather may now more unpredictable than ever due to climate change. Stella may have produced mixed results, but luckily, she should be on her way out soon.