A new winter storm is on the horizon, set to affect travel plans over the weekend. This storm is expected to bring significant snowfall to over 20 states east of the Rockies. Meteorologists at AccuWeather are also monitoring a separate winter storm that could impact the southern and eastern coasts of the United States next week.
AccuWeather’s Senior Director of Forecast Operations, Dan DePodwin, shared insights on the upcoming storm, stating that storms have been moving rapidly across the country this month, with the next one expected to follow suit. As people were still enjoying the aftermath of the previous storm and cleanup efforts were underway from the Upper Midwest to the Northeast, a new wintry blast was already approaching the region for the weekend.
Following its interaction with the Rockies on Friday, the storm is now gathering moisture from the Gulf and Atlantic as it races eastward. Snowfall began in the northern and central Plains on Friday, spreading across the Upper Midwest and expected to reach the Northeast by Saturday morning.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson predicts a broad area receiving 3-6 inches of snow from the storm, affecting cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany, Boston, and more. Flight delays are anticipated due to deicing operations, with possible cancellations across the country.
The storm’s track further south compared to the previous one in the Midwest will result in snow accumulation along Interstate 70 and parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Central New York and New England are likely to experience the heaviest snowfall, with up to 30 inches in some areas.
AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kines described the storm as evolving into a “bomb cyclone,” a rapidly intensifying storm characterized by plummeting pressure and strong winds. This system will bring heavy snow to southeastern Canada, impacting cities like Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto.
Stay informed and prepared by downloading the free AccuWeather app for weather alerts and updates.
Canadian metropolitan areas have been experiencing a snow drought for most of the winter season, with significant snowfall only arriving in the past week, as noted by Kines. A wintry mix is expected to transition into rain during the peak of the storm, stretching along and south of I-84 and 86 in New York, as well as the Connecticut and Massachusetts Turnpikes in New England. However, this transition may not take place until a substantial amount of freezing rain has accumulated on trees and powerlines.
The accumulation of ice (and snow) weight can potentially cause regional power outages in areas such as the Catskills, the Hudson Valley, the Berkshires, and the Connecticut River Valley. Furthermore, gusty winds following the storm could lead to more widespread power outages across a broader region spanning from New England down to northern Florida through Monday. On the other hand, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. are forecasted to experience all or mostly rain, posing a risk of flooding in areas with poor drainage due to a combination of rain and melting snow.
In the central Appalachians through the Ohio Valley, there is concern that sufficient rain coupled with mild air could result in ice jams and flooding along certain streams and secondary rivers, as mentioned by AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham earlier this week. This concern remains relevant for the upcoming storm. The same storm system is expected to bring severe thunderstorms, including possible tornadoes, and a widespread flooding threat to the South-Central states.
AccuWeather meteorologists are closely monitoring atmospheric conditions for a storm anticipated next week, as Arctic air pushes from the Plains toward the Atlantic coast. According to DePodwin, a storm is projected to develop along and ahead of the Arctic boundary, potentially bringing heavy snow from the central Plains to the mid-Atlantic and New England, contingent upon its track and intensity. If all factors align, this storm has the potential to be the most significant snow event of the winter for portions of the central and southern Plains, as well as the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
DePodwin cautioned that the storm, scheduled for the middle of next week, could evolve into a potent nor’easter, a weather phenomenon not often witnessed this season. This upcoming storm is expected to be the final event in a series that commenced at the beginning of the month.
For enhanced safety measures and an ad-free experience, consider upgrading to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app to access advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts. AccuWeather Alerts™ are generated by expert meteorologists who continuously monitor and assess hazardous weather conditions around the clock to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones.
