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CNN Live Sunday
Snow Storm Hits Northeastern U.S.
Aired January 23, 2005 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It's 11:00 a.m on the snow- packed Northeast. 8 a.m. on the West Coast. I am Fredricka Whitfield at CNN's global headquarters in Atlanta. Ahead this hour, Boston is in the eye of a storm. A big dig is under way to get Philadelphia's Lincoln's Field ready for today's game and air travelers across the region are stranded. CNN's reporters are bundled up and along the East Coast.
CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is Chris Huntington in Boston, where it is ten degrees, but the real story is the wind and the waves. Real concerns about coastal flooding on a storm surge.
CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm meteorologist Chad Myers in Philadelphia. The snow is slowing down but the wind is picking up and there is a football game right here in a few hours.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am Alina Cho in New York's Central Park where people are jogging and skiing. Some say it's one of the few times of the year this busy city is actually calm.
WHITFIELD: And we'll hear more from our correspondents out in the field in just a few moments, but first let's head up to you weather center for an update on the Northeast blizzard. From CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi, Fredricka. Things beginning to taper off in places like New York and Philly as far as the snow goes. But like Chad implied, the wind is going to be an issue for the ongoing six to ten hours. Wind and snow, still an issue with Boston, with high tide coming up. We'll get a more detailed report on that, but the Bay certainly going to be place for problems so far as flooding goes.
Going to kind of switch gears here and show you different source. This actually estimates how much more snow is expected in these cities. Nothing too much more measurable in New York. Maybe an inch or two in Hartford. Five inches or more in Boston and then in Cape, you can bet a little bit more than that. So we're watching that intently.
Look at the snowfall tallies. This is as of about three hours ago. We hope to update these in the hour. 25 inches in Rockland, Mass. Boston-Logan, 20 inches in snow. In Brooklyn, 15. In Central park, 13 inches of show. So much of the New York area better foot of snow. Places like Darien, Connecticut along the I-95 corridor, a foot and a half of snow. So these are still the snowfall tallies that we expect to be all said and done, but most of this is going to be done from this point west. 20, in some cases, 40 inches, and that'll most likely be along the cape, but the winds behind this system, look at this. 78 miles an hour wind gusts out if Falmouth, Mass. 69 mile an hour wind gusts out in Nantucket. And we're still seeing similar numbers to this, 50, 60 mile an hour wind gusts in places that are closest to the storm center.
And then, very cold air, Fredricka, all the way through the Gulf of Mexico. Talk more about that in about ten minutes.
WHITFIELD: All right. Look forward to that. Thanks a lot, Rob. Well, the worst of the storm is battering New England right now. Roads closed, flights canceled and people urged to stay indoors. All of that and very powerful winds pounding the coast. We get the very latest of the conditions in Boston from our Chris Huntington. Chris?
HUNTINGTON: Fredricka, yeah, it is tough situation here today. This is not simply a winter wonderland, pretty serious conditions. It's ten degrees here in Boston, and that is keeping many people off of the streets. The governor has declared a state of emergency. And many people are heeding what that entails. Thomas Menino, the mayor of Boston, had a press conference here, decided to close the schools in Boston for Monday and Tuesday, and he's warning that only essential city workers come to work on Monday. We obviously will update you on that situation as to what that will mean for the city of Boston. Logan Airport, closed indefinitely. There's absolutely nothing happening out at Logan.
The real hard-hit areas in the region are along the coastal areas. Particularly Cape Cod, buffeted by, as we've been telling you, hurricane strength winds. I just spoke with the Coast Guard command center in Woods Hole and they are saying that there is a hurricane warning in effect for the George's Bank fishing area off of Cape Cod, up and down the coast, all the way extending up through the Gulf of Maine. So, very, very serious conditions. The Coast Guard is still aware of commercial vessels out in the region out still in the waters.
As Rob just mentioned a few minutes ago, the real concern here is the tide. They're watching the tide surge. We had a chance earlier to speak with the gentleman who runs the marina right where we are in downtown Boston. He's pretty much a grizzled veteran and has seen much of this before.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
LARRY CANNON, RUNS MARINA: I don't think we'll get much of it The wind shifts around out of the Nor'west a bit so -- I don't think we're going to get that surge as much as they thought.
HUNTINGTON: They're talking about record accumulations here perhaps even surpassing '78 and what you got in 2003. How does this compare, at least in your memory, to those storms.
CANNON: Seventy-eight was heavier snow weather conditions. And we had two storms before that so, we really piled up then.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
HUNTINGTON: And that's Larry canon who runs the motorboat marina right here on the waterfront, as he, as he put it there, they treat '78 as the benchmark around here. They are expected to exceed the raw snow accumulation, but the overall conditions here are probably is not as bad as what they had in '78. There was really devastating coastal flooding during that storm. So far no reports of that kind of damage flooding happening just yet.
Just wicked winds as they say here. It makes the plowing and the snow removal very tricky because, of course, anything that you do gets washed back into the street 20 minutes later. So Fredricka, for the time being, most folks in Boston heeding the advice of the officials here, staying indoors, waiting for that Patriots game later this evening.
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, that's good to hear. Chris Huntington, thank you very much, in the wicked winds and already 20 inches of snow and counting. Well, a number of airports are shut down in the Northeast due to the blizzard and that's causing ripple effects throughout the country. Hundreds flights were canceled at New York- area airports. And you heard Chris explain that whiteout conditions have shut down the airport in Boston.
CNN air traffic specialist Rally Caparas of Travelocity Business says widespread problems will continue into tomorrow.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RALLY CAPARAS, TRAVELOCITY: Oh, my goodness, learning, it's an absolute mess and it has been since yesterday as you all know. The snow storms hit the Northeast and as a result canceled thousands of flights since yesterday. Today, Boston's Logan Airport and Bradley airport in Connecticut, both remain closed and they will stay that way, more than likely throughout the rest of the day and evening. Blizzard conditions, 40 knot winds and heavy snows are still falling. It's going to be a mess through tomorrow. If you're flying into or out of either one those airports on Monday morning, you can expect your flight more than likely to be canceled.
Delays will be major, once the airports reopen for business. Sometime later tomorrow, more than likely. And those delays will last all day and evening long once airport's opened. Tuesday, they should be able to catch up because the weather is supposed to be exceptional for this time of the year. NY-La Guardia, JFK and Philly airporsts, nearly half of all flights canceled. 40 knot winds, blowing snow and poor visibility. There will be improvement later this evening. But it'll be too late it take care of all of those folks that are stranded or trying to get into or out of those major airports. The Washington metros have been catching up all day and should be back to normal schedule, well as normal as they can, with all of the cancellations that will take place with all of the other cities in the Northeast.
The terrible side to this for the New England people, is that they are not going to see, a lot of them, will not be able to see the game taking place as the Patriots play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game down there. More than likely they'll have power outages and poor satellite reception, if any. I hope you had some batteries and radios, folks. Anyway, we'll be thinking about you. It's going to be a terrible day. I'll be back to update this information as necessary. I am Rally Caparas from Travelocity Business.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Well, thanks a lot, Rally.
Well, the snowfall is expected to taper off in Philadelphia by kickoff of the NFC championship game between the Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons. In the meantime, more than 750 people are working hard to get snow-covered Lincoln Financial Field ready for the play. Chad Myers is at the stadium with an update. And how are they doing so far, Chad?
MYERS: Fredricka, it is going -- I can't tell you, they started at 11:00 yesterday. They're still working now. This was 11:00 a.m. yesterday. So now, 24 hours, some of them without sleep, and it's almost completely done. In fact, they were rolling the tarp off 10 minutes ago. I was inside. The field is wet but it is not sloppy. Most of the snow was removed and was not allowed to soak in. Most of the snow. Let me show you how much. Put my hand down in this. Now we're look at, I don't know, we're looking at 11.5 inches here and most of the spots that I've been measuring around here. Last night, they were doing the same thing. They used front-end loaders. They were loading them either into dumpsters or into big pick-up trucks or also big dump trucks. I asked one of the guys in charge, what is this going to cost? I said is it in the millions? He goes, Oh, we haven't even started counting. I said, so it's at least a million? He goes, I don't even want to say. So to me, the way he looked, absolutely, it's going to cost at least that to get all of the snow out of here.
The tailgaters appreciated it. It's all clear for them. They have been partying since 8:00 this morning. Some of them were not allowed on time because some their park lots were not clear yet. But they started fires, they are standing by and maybe having some warm hot chocolate to keep them warm. It is going to be a cold game. Anybody that announces that the cold will not affect the game is not here and is not on the field. Because I just was and I'll tell you what, with the gloves on that I have on, I was still cold and my fingers were still feeling numb after only 15 minutes. Can you imagine being out there trying to catch a football with those thin gloves they'll be wearing. It's going to be a game-changing forecast for sure. Back to you.
WHITFIELD: It really is. I have a feeling the Philadelphia Eagles are used to it. We'll see how the Falcons can do. All right, Chad, thanks so much.
Well, a little bit later, we'll check out the snow conditions in New York and find out how the folks in Boston what might be one of the 10 worst storms in a century. Then, they're shuffling stadiums out in Philly, we saw that already. And of course we're seeing the same thing in Pittsburgh, where the two big football games are getting underway in a matter of hours. How much can the Eagles and the Steelers depend on home team advantage? We'll be exploring that with our sports reporter. We'll come right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: One week from today, Iraqi elections and a threat on tape to candidates and voters. It's reportedly from terrorist Abu Musab al Zarqawi. In the audiotape, a man claiming to be al Zarqawi condemned democracy as the big American lie. The voice on the tape also declared a bitter war against democracy. He also called all candidates and voters, enemies of Islam. CNN has not confirmed the authenticity of the tape posted on at least two Islamic Web sites. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq John Negroponte tells CNN Iraqis will be protected for the elections.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ: What I can tell you, Wolf is no effort being spared to provide the kind of security conditions that will enable as many people as possible in those areas to vote. This includes extraordinary security measures. It also includes some special voting procedures for people in some of these areas to take into account the particularly difficult security circumstances.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And you can hear the entire interview with Ambassador Negroponte with CNN's LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER. That's at noon Eastern, 9 Pacific.
Well, checking other news in global headlines this hour. In Kiev, Viktor Yushchenko has taken the oath of office as president of Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell attended the scenario. Yushchenko praised America for advocating democratic principles and sharing democratic values.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says there's quiet on the Gaza front. Israeli radio reports Mahmoud Abbas appears to secure a 30-day cease-fire with Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants. On Friday, Abbas deployed some 2,000 security forces along northern Gaza to stop rocket and mortar attacks on Israelis.
The death toll from December's devastating tsunami swells to more than 220,000. Indonesia's death toll alone has risen to nearly 174,000. The number of missing has increased to just over 7,000.
Our storm coverage continues in a moment, as they try to clear the city streets in time for Monday's rush hour, it's a winter wonderland in New York's Central Park. Alina Cho joins us live in a moment.
And in the upper Northeast, the snow is even deeper and the conditions more treacherous. Rob Marciano joins with us a look with the forecast.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Frigid temperatures, snow, sleet, freezing rain, and hurricane force winds, that's what we're seeing all along the parts of the northeast coast this morning. New England is bracing as much as three feet of snow. In other parts of the Northeast there is already a foot of snow in the nation's capital. Nearly 200 snowplows are clearing the streets. In New York, in addition to snow, warnings of coastal flooding. Let's check in with our snow team, Gary Nuremberg is in Washington, Alina Cho in New York. First, let's go to Gary.
GARY NUREMBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fredricka. Right now, the winds gusting about 35 miles an hour, although the snow has stopped. With temperatures in the low to mid teens. The most recent wind chill factor at Reagan National Airport was three below. Earlier, at National Airport, wind gusts were so severe, they were causing whiteouts that were causing difficulties for some pilots, but airport authorities told us recently that that particular problem has gone away. There are problems all over Washington caused by the snow. The monuments here have lots of steps at National Gallery of Art this morning it was a combination of snow blowers that we kept watching down and manual effort as they tried to clear those steps, a lot of them so patrons could get in.
Others took advantage of the cold weather with joggers running in the snow on the National Mall and cross country skiers taking a chance to look at the sites of Washington from skis that most of the year remain unused. And if you think you are having a difficult time today, put yourself in the position of 450 drivers who parked on DC emergency routes last night. This morning they, had $250 fines and about 300 of those cars, Fredricka, has already been towed.
WHITFIELD: That's always a drag. That's happened to me. That is not a good thing. All right, Gary Nuremberg in the nation's capital, thanks so much. Lets head north to New York's Central Park where we find Alina Cho and a lot of folks who are enjoying the conditions. Alina?
CHO: Fredricka, I am happy to report that it has finally stopped snowing here in New York City, at least in Central Park. The winds have died down a bit, and it certainly is a bit warmer. Add all of that up, and what you get are a lot of kids. It seems like a bit of a traffic jam here at the top of the hill here in Central Park. A lot of their kids and their parents are having a fun time taking their sleds down this hill. They're catching some speed in some cases but a lot of people having some fun and this is exactly how city officials had hoped things would go. Stay inside in the morning and once it stops snowing, come outside. Now, one of those families who have come well prepared, Lori and David Schnotty (ph). They have been living in New York City for ten years or so. You got yourself a new sleigh this year. Tell me about it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of hot air went into this this morning and I usually have plenty of it for those who know me.
CHO: All right. So you have been here for how long?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've been here about an hour, hour and a half this morning and having a fantastic time.
CHO: I bet you are. I bet your kids are having a good time, too. Matthew, tell me, what's the best part about being at Central Park?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Playing and playing in the snow. Like it's the funnest thing ever?
CHO: Jennifer (ph), 7 years old. You look really cute there. Are you having fun out here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yeah, I'm having a lot of fun.
CHO: You're not cold, yet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, not cold.
CHO: I bet mom, Lori, is a bit cold?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mom is a little cold. But we're hanging in there. It's a lot of work getting back up this hill.
CHO: I hope you get inside and have some hot chocolate soon. Lori and David Schnotty (ph), Matthew and Jennifer (ph), we thank you for joining us. So along with the joggers and the dog walkers and now that the kids are finally out and everybody finally having a great time here in New York City. Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: All right. Alina Cho, thanks so much. Something how kids never seem to get cold. Rob Marciano in the weather center. They just have a great time. If only that would just trickle down to us as we get stuck in these conditions.
MARCIANO: Yeah, well, it's part of getting old. Nice to see the smiles though. There's nothing like New York City after a fresh blanket of snow. It just looks cleaner and obviously more fun for the kids. The snow is pretty much over in New York and Philly. You'll see some flurries at times and blowing snow. The center of this storm still just east of Nantucket. We have seen winds gust in Nantucket over 80 miles an hour. So, unbelievable wind conditions with in system. Mostly from Rhode Island eastward. And in this area, probably seeing another five to ten inches additional snow accumulation on top of what you have already seen.
Generally we've seen about a foot in New York, about a foot and a half across Central and Southern Connecticut and about two feet so far across parts of Eastern Mass. So we could see accumulations of about three feet before it's done. Blizzard conditions expected across Boston through 5:00, 6:00 later on tonight. You can see how rapidly the back band of this system is beginning to move through Rhode Island, across Long Island Sound, Block Island and across Providence, Rhode Island as well. So it looks like Connecticut is starting to see some improvement. But it's cold. 18 in New York, 10 in Boston. Wind chills, minus 13 in Boston. Still the nasty spot but Pittsburgh's minus 13. No more snow expected in Pittsburgh or Philly but like Chad was mentioning, I don't care how tough you are, that'll be tough, cold to play in with those two football games this afternoon. We'll talk more about that in about five minutes. Freddy?
WHITFIELD: All right. In fact we will, with Ray D'Alessio as well who is already in Pennsylvania, at least he's in Philadelphia, and he's going to give us an idea of whether either Pennsylvania team has a home-field advantage with the AFC and NFC championship games taking place there, ray?
RAY D'ALESSIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fredricka. Will the fourth time be the charm for the Eagles? The players think it will. We'll preview both AFC and the NFC championship when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well, it's been said, anything can happen if the playoffs, and that just might be the case today. Both NFL conference championship games kick in snowy Pennsylvania today but before the braves fans brave the cold, hundreds of workers are out digging Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Ray D'Alessio is in Philadelphia with the previews of both games. I don't know what is worst, maybe the foot of snowfall or this minus zero wind chill?
D'ALESSIO: Well, you gave credit to the workers for braving the cold, how about us reporters, huh?
WHITFIELD: Oh, I do feel for you.
D'ALESSIO: Hey, I'm warm today but I tell you, Fredricka, so much has been made about the Eagles and their three straight losses in the NFC championship but the players say, this year is different. They say they're playing with type of confidence, even a swagger that they haven't had in the previous title games.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Third down and goal.
BRIAN WESTBROOK, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Everybody's -- who has been mad at us and now we're going out to win a ball game and for us to play with pressure and that type
(AUDIO GAP)
DANTE CULPEPER: (audio gap) I'm going to take my shirt off.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
D'ALESSIO: Now, once that game is completed, of course later on tonight, it'll be the AFC championship. Steelers, against the Patriots. This may be a tale of two quarterbacks. Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers, Tom Brady for the Patriots. Ben Roethlisberger trying to become the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to the Super Bowl. Tom Brady, on the other hand, he already has two Super Bowl rings and of course, Fredricka, the best thing about the Super Bowl, it is played in warm weather. Two weeks from today in Jacksonville, Florida.
WHITFIELD: Well, that'll be a nice relief! Whoever makes it, they'll be happy and they've earned it.
D'ALESSIO: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: All right. Ray D'Alessio from Philly. All right, Rob Marciano here in nice cozy, warm Atlanta. Let's rub it in more. It's not Florida where the Super Bowl will be, but ...
MARCIANO: They kind of shock the system when they go from the cold to the warm in just a week's time but both games as Ray pointed out, a problem so far as the weather is concerned. I don't care how tough you are. When it is minus ten wind chill, it's going to affect at least the passing game.
Here's the first forecast for the first game up, Phillies/Falcons. 15 degree actual temperature at game time. The snow is over but the winds will be rocking. So wind chill factors will be around minus 10, meaning, what it will feel like to your exposed skin. So aside from the linemen and the running backs, I bet a lot of those guys have the tight long johns on.
Now in Pittsburgh, no bargain either. Six degree actual temperature and then a wind chill of minus 13. So for both games, look at wind chill factors well below zero and fans are going to be hating that, but certainly it's going to be a factor. So we'll watch that. Tom Brady, I don't know if Ray mentioned this, but one of the best in snow and Pittsburgh -- they have a rookie playing. So maybe it'll be his first loss of the season.
WHITFIELD: Don't say that. Don't jinx them.
MARCIANO: I'm not supposed to say anything. Nice to see you, Freddy.
WHITFIELD: All right. Very good, thank you very much, Rob. Hopefully they can bring their blankets into the stadium no matter what. Still much more ahead on CNN Sunday. Up next, RELIABLE SOURCES takes a closer look at the media's coverage of the inauguration. Then at noon, U.S. ambassador to Iraq John Negroponte sits down with Wolf Blitzer on LATE EDITION and then at 2 Eastern, PEOPLE IN THE NEWS.
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Aired January 23, 2005 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It's 11:00 a.m on the snow- packed Northeast. 8 a.m. on the West Coast. I am Fredricka Whitfield at CNN's global headquarters in Atlanta. Ahead this hour, Boston is in the eye of a storm. A big dig is under way to get Philadelphia's Lincoln's Field ready for today's game and air travelers across the region are stranded. CNN's reporters are bundled up and along the East Coast.
CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is Chris Huntington in Boston, where it is ten degrees, but the real story is the wind and the waves. Real concerns about coastal flooding on a storm surge.
CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm meteorologist Chad Myers in Philadelphia. The snow is slowing down but the wind is picking up and there is a football game right here in a few hours.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am Alina Cho in New York's Central Park where people are jogging and skiing. Some say it's one of the few times of the year this busy city is actually calm.
WHITFIELD: And we'll hear more from our correspondents out in the field in just a few moments, but first let's head up to you weather center for an update on the Northeast blizzard. From CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi, Fredricka. Things beginning to taper off in places like New York and Philly as far as the snow goes. But like Chad implied, the wind is going to be an issue for the ongoing six to ten hours. Wind and snow, still an issue with Boston, with high tide coming up. We'll get a more detailed report on that, but the Bay certainly going to be place for problems so far as flooding goes.
Going to kind of switch gears here and show you different source. This actually estimates how much more snow is expected in these cities. Nothing too much more measurable in New York. Maybe an inch or two in Hartford. Five inches or more in Boston and then in Cape, you can bet a little bit more than that. So we're watching that intently.
Look at the snowfall tallies. This is as of about three hours ago. We hope to update these in the hour. 25 inches in Rockland, Mass. Boston-Logan, 20 inches in snow. In Brooklyn, 15. In Central park, 13 inches of show. So much of the New York area better foot of snow. Places like Darien, Connecticut along the I-95 corridor, a foot and a half of snow. So these are still the snowfall tallies that we expect to be all said and done, but most of this is going to be done from this point west. 20, in some cases, 40 inches, and that'll most likely be along the cape, but the winds behind this system, look at this. 78 miles an hour wind gusts out if Falmouth, Mass. 69 mile an hour wind gusts out in Nantucket. And we're still seeing similar numbers to this, 50, 60 mile an hour wind gusts in places that are closest to the storm center.
And then, very cold air, Fredricka, all the way through the Gulf of Mexico. Talk more about that in about ten minutes.
WHITFIELD: All right. Look forward to that. Thanks a lot, Rob. Well, the worst of the storm is battering New England right now. Roads closed, flights canceled and people urged to stay indoors. All of that and very powerful winds pounding the coast. We get the very latest of the conditions in Boston from our Chris Huntington. Chris?
HUNTINGTON: Fredricka, yeah, it is tough situation here today. This is not simply a winter wonderland, pretty serious conditions. It's ten degrees here in Boston, and that is keeping many people off of the streets. The governor has declared a state of emergency. And many people are heeding what that entails. Thomas Menino, the mayor of Boston, had a press conference here, decided to close the schools in Boston for Monday and Tuesday, and he's warning that only essential city workers come to work on Monday. We obviously will update you on that situation as to what that will mean for the city of Boston. Logan Airport, closed indefinitely. There's absolutely nothing happening out at Logan.
The real hard-hit areas in the region are along the coastal areas. Particularly Cape Cod, buffeted by, as we've been telling you, hurricane strength winds. I just spoke with the Coast Guard command center in Woods Hole and they are saying that there is a hurricane warning in effect for the George's Bank fishing area off of Cape Cod, up and down the coast, all the way extending up through the Gulf of Maine. So, very, very serious conditions. The Coast Guard is still aware of commercial vessels out in the region out still in the waters.
As Rob just mentioned a few minutes ago, the real concern here is the tide. They're watching the tide surge. We had a chance earlier to speak with the gentleman who runs the marina right where we are in downtown Boston. He's pretty much a grizzled veteran and has seen much of this before.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
LARRY CANNON, RUNS MARINA: I don't think we'll get much of it The wind shifts around out of the Nor'west a bit so -- I don't think we're going to get that surge as much as they thought.
HUNTINGTON: They're talking about record accumulations here perhaps even surpassing '78 and what you got in 2003. How does this compare, at least in your memory, to those storms.
CANNON: Seventy-eight was heavier snow weather conditions. And we had two storms before that so, we really piled up then.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
HUNTINGTON: And that's Larry canon who runs the motorboat marina right here on the waterfront, as he, as he put it there, they treat '78 as the benchmark around here. They are expected to exceed the raw snow accumulation, but the overall conditions here are probably is not as bad as what they had in '78. There was really devastating coastal flooding during that storm. So far no reports of that kind of damage flooding happening just yet.
Just wicked winds as they say here. It makes the plowing and the snow removal very tricky because, of course, anything that you do gets washed back into the street 20 minutes later. So Fredricka, for the time being, most folks in Boston heeding the advice of the officials here, staying indoors, waiting for that Patriots game later this evening.
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, that's good to hear. Chris Huntington, thank you very much, in the wicked winds and already 20 inches of snow and counting. Well, a number of airports are shut down in the Northeast due to the blizzard and that's causing ripple effects throughout the country. Hundreds flights were canceled at New York- area airports. And you heard Chris explain that whiteout conditions have shut down the airport in Boston.
CNN air traffic specialist Rally Caparas of Travelocity Business says widespread problems will continue into tomorrow.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RALLY CAPARAS, TRAVELOCITY: Oh, my goodness, learning, it's an absolute mess and it has been since yesterday as you all know. The snow storms hit the Northeast and as a result canceled thousands of flights since yesterday. Today, Boston's Logan Airport and Bradley airport in Connecticut, both remain closed and they will stay that way, more than likely throughout the rest of the day and evening. Blizzard conditions, 40 knot winds and heavy snows are still falling. It's going to be a mess through tomorrow. If you're flying into or out of either one those airports on Monday morning, you can expect your flight more than likely to be canceled.
Delays will be major, once the airports reopen for business. Sometime later tomorrow, more than likely. And those delays will last all day and evening long once airport's opened. Tuesday, they should be able to catch up because the weather is supposed to be exceptional for this time of the year. NY-La Guardia, JFK and Philly airporsts, nearly half of all flights canceled. 40 knot winds, blowing snow and poor visibility. There will be improvement later this evening. But it'll be too late it take care of all of those folks that are stranded or trying to get into or out of those major airports. The Washington metros have been catching up all day and should be back to normal schedule, well as normal as they can, with all of the cancellations that will take place with all of the other cities in the Northeast.
The terrible side to this for the New England people, is that they are not going to see, a lot of them, will not be able to see the game taking place as the Patriots play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game down there. More than likely they'll have power outages and poor satellite reception, if any. I hope you had some batteries and radios, folks. Anyway, we'll be thinking about you. It's going to be a terrible day. I'll be back to update this information as necessary. I am Rally Caparas from Travelocity Business.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Well, thanks a lot, Rally.
Well, the snowfall is expected to taper off in Philadelphia by kickoff of the NFC championship game between the Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons. In the meantime, more than 750 people are working hard to get snow-covered Lincoln Financial Field ready for the play. Chad Myers is at the stadium with an update. And how are they doing so far, Chad?
MYERS: Fredricka, it is going -- I can't tell you, they started at 11:00 yesterday. They're still working now. This was 11:00 a.m. yesterday. So now, 24 hours, some of them without sleep, and it's almost completely done. In fact, they were rolling the tarp off 10 minutes ago. I was inside. The field is wet but it is not sloppy. Most of the snow was removed and was not allowed to soak in. Most of the snow. Let me show you how much. Put my hand down in this. Now we're look at, I don't know, we're looking at 11.5 inches here and most of the spots that I've been measuring around here. Last night, they were doing the same thing. They used front-end loaders. They were loading them either into dumpsters or into big pick-up trucks or also big dump trucks. I asked one of the guys in charge, what is this going to cost? I said is it in the millions? He goes, Oh, we haven't even started counting. I said, so it's at least a million? He goes, I don't even want to say. So to me, the way he looked, absolutely, it's going to cost at least that to get all of the snow out of here.
The tailgaters appreciated it. It's all clear for them. They have been partying since 8:00 this morning. Some of them were not allowed on time because some their park lots were not clear yet. But they started fires, they are standing by and maybe having some warm hot chocolate to keep them warm. It is going to be a cold game. Anybody that announces that the cold will not affect the game is not here and is not on the field. Because I just was and I'll tell you what, with the gloves on that I have on, I was still cold and my fingers were still feeling numb after only 15 minutes. Can you imagine being out there trying to catch a football with those thin gloves they'll be wearing. It's going to be a game-changing forecast for sure. Back to you.
WHITFIELD: It really is. I have a feeling the Philadelphia Eagles are used to it. We'll see how the Falcons can do. All right, Chad, thanks so much.
Well, a little bit later, we'll check out the snow conditions in New York and find out how the folks in Boston what might be one of the 10 worst storms in a century. Then, they're shuffling stadiums out in Philly, we saw that already. And of course we're seeing the same thing in Pittsburgh, where the two big football games are getting underway in a matter of hours. How much can the Eagles and the Steelers depend on home team advantage? We'll be exploring that with our sports reporter. We'll come right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: One week from today, Iraqi elections and a threat on tape to candidates and voters. It's reportedly from terrorist Abu Musab al Zarqawi. In the audiotape, a man claiming to be al Zarqawi condemned democracy as the big American lie. The voice on the tape also declared a bitter war against democracy. He also called all candidates and voters, enemies of Islam. CNN has not confirmed the authenticity of the tape posted on at least two Islamic Web sites. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq John Negroponte tells CNN Iraqis will be protected for the elections.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ: What I can tell you, Wolf is no effort being spared to provide the kind of security conditions that will enable as many people as possible in those areas to vote. This includes extraordinary security measures. It also includes some special voting procedures for people in some of these areas to take into account the particularly difficult security circumstances.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And you can hear the entire interview with Ambassador Negroponte with CNN's LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER. That's at noon Eastern, 9 Pacific.
Well, checking other news in global headlines this hour. In Kiev, Viktor Yushchenko has taken the oath of office as president of Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell attended the scenario. Yushchenko praised America for advocating democratic principles and sharing democratic values.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says there's quiet on the Gaza front. Israeli radio reports Mahmoud Abbas appears to secure a 30-day cease-fire with Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants. On Friday, Abbas deployed some 2,000 security forces along northern Gaza to stop rocket and mortar attacks on Israelis.
The death toll from December's devastating tsunami swells to more than 220,000. Indonesia's death toll alone has risen to nearly 174,000. The number of missing has increased to just over 7,000.
Our storm coverage continues in a moment, as they try to clear the city streets in time for Monday's rush hour, it's a winter wonderland in New York's Central Park. Alina Cho joins us live in a moment.
And in the upper Northeast, the snow is even deeper and the conditions more treacherous. Rob Marciano joins with us a look with the forecast.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Frigid temperatures, snow, sleet, freezing rain, and hurricane force winds, that's what we're seeing all along the parts of the northeast coast this morning. New England is bracing as much as three feet of snow. In other parts of the Northeast there is already a foot of snow in the nation's capital. Nearly 200 snowplows are clearing the streets. In New York, in addition to snow, warnings of coastal flooding. Let's check in with our snow team, Gary Nuremberg is in Washington, Alina Cho in New York. First, let's go to Gary.
GARY NUREMBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fredricka. Right now, the winds gusting about 35 miles an hour, although the snow has stopped. With temperatures in the low to mid teens. The most recent wind chill factor at Reagan National Airport was three below. Earlier, at National Airport, wind gusts were so severe, they were causing whiteouts that were causing difficulties for some pilots, but airport authorities told us recently that that particular problem has gone away. There are problems all over Washington caused by the snow. The monuments here have lots of steps at National Gallery of Art this morning it was a combination of snow blowers that we kept watching down and manual effort as they tried to clear those steps, a lot of them so patrons could get in.
Others took advantage of the cold weather with joggers running in the snow on the National Mall and cross country skiers taking a chance to look at the sites of Washington from skis that most of the year remain unused. And if you think you are having a difficult time today, put yourself in the position of 450 drivers who parked on DC emergency routes last night. This morning they, had $250 fines and about 300 of those cars, Fredricka, has already been towed.
WHITFIELD: That's always a drag. That's happened to me. That is not a good thing. All right, Gary Nuremberg in the nation's capital, thanks so much. Lets head north to New York's Central Park where we find Alina Cho and a lot of folks who are enjoying the conditions. Alina?
CHO: Fredricka, I am happy to report that it has finally stopped snowing here in New York City, at least in Central Park. The winds have died down a bit, and it certainly is a bit warmer. Add all of that up, and what you get are a lot of kids. It seems like a bit of a traffic jam here at the top of the hill here in Central Park. A lot of their kids and their parents are having a fun time taking their sleds down this hill. They're catching some speed in some cases but a lot of people having some fun and this is exactly how city officials had hoped things would go. Stay inside in the morning and once it stops snowing, come outside. Now, one of those families who have come well prepared, Lori and David Schnotty (ph). They have been living in New York City for ten years or so. You got yourself a new sleigh this year. Tell me about it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of hot air went into this this morning and I usually have plenty of it for those who know me.
CHO: All right. So you have been here for how long?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've been here about an hour, hour and a half this morning and having a fantastic time.
CHO: I bet you are. I bet your kids are having a good time, too. Matthew, tell me, what's the best part about being at Central Park?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Playing and playing in the snow. Like it's the funnest thing ever?
CHO: Jennifer (ph), 7 years old. You look really cute there. Are you having fun out here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yeah, I'm having a lot of fun.
CHO: You're not cold, yet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, not cold.
CHO: I bet mom, Lori, is a bit cold?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mom is a little cold. But we're hanging in there. It's a lot of work getting back up this hill.
CHO: I hope you get inside and have some hot chocolate soon. Lori and David Schnotty (ph), Matthew and Jennifer (ph), we thank you for joining us. So along with the joggers and the dog walkers and now that the kids are finally out and everybody finally having a great time here in New York City. Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: All right. Alina Cho, thanks so much. Something how kids never seem to get cold. Rob Marciano in the weather center. They just have a great time. If only that would just trickle down to us as we get stuck in these conditions.
MARCIANO: Yeah, well, it's part of getting old. Nice to see the smiles though. There's nothing like New York City after a fresh blanket of snow. It just looks cleaner and obviously more fun for the kids. The snow is pretty much over in New York and Philly. You'll see some flurries at times and blowing snow. The center of this storm still just east of Nantucket. We have seen winds gust in Nantucket over 80 miles an hour. So, unbelievable wind conditions with in system. Mostly from Rhode Island eastward. And in this area, probably seeing another five to ten inches additional snow accumulation on top of what you have already seen.
Generally we've seen about a foot in New York, about a foot and a half across Central and Southern Connecticut and about two feet so far across parts of Eastern Mass. So we could see accumulations of about three feet before it's done. Blizzard conditions expected across Boston through 5:00, 6:00 later on tonight. You can see how rapidly the back band of this system is beginning to move through Rhode Island, across Long Island Sound, Block Island and across Providence, Rhode Island as well. So it looks like Connecticut is starting to see some improvement. But it's cold. 18 in New York, 10 in Boston. Wind chills, minus 13 in Boston. Still the nasty spot but Pittsburgh's minus 13. No more snow expected in Pittsburgh or Philly but like Chad was mentioning, I don't care how tough you are, that'll be tough, cold to play in with those two football games this afternoon. We'll talk more about that in about five minutes. Freddy?
WHITFIELD: All right. In fact we will, with Ray D'Alessio as well who is already in Pennsylvania, at least he's in Philadelphia, and he's going to give us an idea of whether either Pennsylvania team has a home-field advantage with the AFC and NFC championship games taking place there, ray?
RAY D'ALESSIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fredricka. Will the fourth time be the charm for the Eagles? The players think it will. We'll preview both AFC and the NFC championship when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well, it's been said, anything can happen if the playoffs, and that just might be the case today. Both NFL conference championship games kick in snowy Pennsylvania today but before the braves fans brave the cold, hundreds of workers are out digging Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Ray D'Alessio is in Philadelphia with the previews of both games. I don't know what is worst, maybe the foot of snowfall or this minus zero wind chill?
D'ALESSIO: Well, you gave credit to the workers for braving the cold, how about us reporters, huh?
WHITFIELD: Oh, I do feel for you.
D'ALESSIO: Hey, I'm warm today but I tell you, Fredricka, so much has been made about the Eagles and their three straight losses in the NFC championship but the players say, this year is different. They say they're playing with type of confidence, even a swagger that they haven't had in the previous title games.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Third down and goal.
BRIAN WESTBROOK, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Everybody's -- who has been mad at us and now we're going out to win a ball game and for us to play with pressure and that type
(AUDIO GAP)
DANTE CULPEPER: (audio gap) I'm going to take my shirt off.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
D'ALESSIO: Now, once that game is completed, of course later on tonight, it'll be the AFC championship. Steelers, against the Patriots. This may be a tale of two quarterbacks. Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers, Tom Brady for the Patriots. Ben Roethlisberger trying to become the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to the Super Bowl. Tom Brady, on the other hand, he already has two Super Bowl rings and of course, Fredricka, the best thing about the Super Bowl, it is played in warm weather. Two weeks from today in Jacksonville, Florida.
WHITFIELD: Well, that'll be a nice relief! Whoever makes it, they'll be happy and they've earned it.
D'ALESSIO: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: All right. Ray D'Alessio from Philly. All right, Rob Marciano here in nice cozy, warm Atlanta. Let's rub it in more. It's not Florida where the Super Bowl will be, but ...
MARCIANO: They kind of shock the system when they go from the cold to the warm in just a week's time but both games as Ray pointed out, a problem so far as the weather is concerned. I don't care how tough you are. When it is minus ten wind chill, it's going to affect at least the passing game.
Here's the first forecast for the first game up, Phillies/Falcons. 15 degree actual temperature at game time. The snow is over but the winds will be rocking. So wind chill factors will be around minus 10, meaning, what it will feel like to your exposed skin. So aside from the linemen and the running backs, I bet a lot of those guys have the tight long johns on.
Now in Pittsburgh, no bargain either. Six degree actual temperature and then a wind chill of minus 13. So for both games, look at wind chill factors well below zero and fans are going to be hating that, but certainly it's going to be a factor. So we'll watch that. Tom Brady, I don't know if Ray mentioned this, but one of the best in snow and Pittsburgh -- they have a rookie playing. So maybe it'll be his first loss of the season.
WHITFIELD: Don't say that. Don't jinx them.
MARCIANO: I'm not supposed to say anything. Nice to see you, Freddy.
WHITFIELD: All right. Very good, thank you very much, Rob. Hopefully they can bring their blankets into the stadium no matter what. Still much more ahead on CNN Sunday. Up next, RELIABLE SOURCES takes a closer look at the media's coverage of the inauguration. Then at noon, U.S. ambassador to Iraq John Negroponte sits down with Wolf Blitzer on LATE EDITION and then at 2 Eastern, PEOPLE IN THE NEWS.
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