Over the weekend, a significant storm swept through the central United States, blanketing some communities with up to a foot of snow and coating others with hazardous ice. As the storm progresses eastward towards the Tennessee Valley and the mid-Atlantic region, treacherous conditions and challenging travel are expected to persist at least until Monday. AccuWeather experts are particularly worried about the potential for dangerous travel conditions caused by heavy snow in parts of the mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., and the Baltimore metropolitan areas. The Chief Meteorologist at AccuWeather, Jonathan Porter, cautioned that the rapid snowfall rate of 1-2 inches per hour during the Monday morning commute following the holiday season could lead to extremely perilous travel conditions. Both Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are anticipated to receive around six inches of snow, marking the first major storm for these areas in three years. Snow accumulation is forecasted as far south as northern Virginia and as far north as central Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey, with cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh likely to see several inches of snow. Travelers are advised to expect challenges on major interstates such as 66, 70, 81, 95, and 270, as well as on side roads and highways in Kentucky, central and southern Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Freezing rain and sleet may add to the slippery conditions in these regions. The potential for power outages due to icy surfaces causing tree limbs and power lines to fall is another concern. Following the storm, temperatures are expected to plummet below the historical average for early January, leading to continued travel disruptions. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures, combined with gusty winds, could make it feel even colder for the Tuesday morning commute.
Persistent cold air is predicted to linger behind the storm, maintaining temperatures at or below freezing from northern Virginia and areas farther north, potentially lasting throughout the entire week. These sub-freezing temperatures could result in a slower cleanup process post-storm and could lead to delays in restoring power to regions experiencing outages. Additionally, the frigid air moving over the Great Lakes is expected to generate increased lake-effect snowfall as the week progresses.
As the cold weather persists, residents are advised to remain vigilant for additional wintry conditions. AccuWeather meteorologists are currently monitoring a potential storm that may bring snow and ice to regions spanning from Texas to the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic later in the week.
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