A winter storm originating from the northern Pacific is set to move across the country towards the Atlantic coast midweek. AccuWeather experts predict heavy snowfall for parts of Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Delaware. The storm will also bring icy conditions further south. This system has been gathering strength as it traveled southeastward from the Rockies and into the central Plains earlier in the week with an added boost of moisture from the Gulf. While the storm is not expected to turn northward along the Atlantic coast, it is likely to bring the largest snowfall of the season to some areas before moving out to sea.
Cities such as Norfolk and Richmond in Virginia, Winston-Salem and Raleigh in North Carolina, and Salisbury in Maryland are expected to receive several inches of snow from Wednesday through early Thursday. Some areas could see up to 12 inches of snow, with localized amounts of up to 25 inches in parts of southeastern Virginia and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Snowfall rates could reach 1-2 inches per hour on Wednesday afternoon and night, potentially leading to road closures and travel disruptions. Airline delays and cancellations are expected to increase on Wednesday and linger into Thursday.
Additionally, a secondary component of the storm, driven by the jet stream, will bring light snow to the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes region, central Appalachians, upper mid-Atlantic coast, and parts of southern New England. Snow accumulation in these areas will vary, creating hazardous driving conditions. While there may be some light snow in the upper mid-Atlantic and southeastern New England, a major snowstorm is unlikely for cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston.
Further south, central and southeastern North Carolina to northern South Carolina are expected to experience significant sleet and freezing rain. Eastern North Carolina could see more freezing rain, leading to potential power outages due to ice build-up on trees. Even a small amount of ice or wintry mix in cities like Charlotte, Greenville, Fayetteville in North Carolina, and Greenville to Darlington in South Carolina, could create dangerous conditions.
Following the storm, cold winds will persist, but not as severe as the initial storm at the beginning of the week. A trailing component of the storm will move eastward, bringing varying snowfall amounts from southern New Jersey, eastern Long Island, to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with areas to the north and west likely to see little to no snow.
Originating from the Midwest, intermittent snow and locally heavier snow showers persist in causing disruptions on roadways stretching from northern Georgia and the Carolinas to upstate New York and New England. The cold air present may be substantial enough to prevent natural melting, a phenomenon typically observed in the Southern states following a winter storm. Any areas that become damp from this natural melting process will likely freeze as the evening progresses and temperatures drop. For enhanced safety measures and an ad-free experience, consider accessing advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts by subscribing to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are generated by our skilled meteorologists who provide continuous monitoring and analysis of hazardous weather conditions around the clock to ensure the utmost safety for you and your loved ones.
