A colossal storm which saturated California is making its way eastward, setting the stage for wintry conditions this upcoming weekend spanning from the northern Plains all the way to the Northeast, caution meteorologists. This scenario unfolds in the wake of a tempest that unleashed a deluge of snow, ice, and rain across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York on Thursday, before exiting off the coast of New England. Another storm, which brought unprecedented levels of rain to Northern California on Thursday, is now advancing eastward, poised to deposit between 6 and 12 inches of snow across the Northern Rockies, as reported by the National Weather Service. A minimum of 4 to 6 inches of snowfall is expected to blanket the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi from Friday to Saturday.
The intensity of the storm is anticipated to amplify as it moves across the Midwest and Ohio Valley throughout Saturday, courtesy of a force known as the “jet stream,” elucidated AccuWeather meteorologist Isaac Longley. This escalation in intensity is likely to result in wintry precipitation across the upper Midwest, particularly affecting regions like Minneapolis and central Wisconsin, where snow accumulation ranging from 3 to 6 inches is predicted. Northern Michigan is bracing for a more significant impact, with a projected snowfall of 6 to 12 inches.
“This weather system truly spans the breadth of the country,” Longley conveyed to USA TODAY. “It appears that the initial snow band forming over the northern Plains and Upper Midwest will be relatively confined. Consequently, while some areas are bound to experience substantial snowfall, there may also be sharp discrepancies in accumulation.”
A perilous combination looms on the horizon: Snow and ice will coat the Northeast, marking the onset of a series of successive storms. The weekend is expected to culminate with sleet and freezing rain hitting Ohio and Pennsylvania’s northern regions by Saturday evening, as per Longley’s analysis. Notably heavy snowfall will sweep across western New York, far northern Pennsylvania, and the Catskill Mountains. Meanwhile, Massachusetts, southern Vermont, and southern New Hampshire could see anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of snowfall.
“In certain locales, snow accumulation may surpass the initially projected 12 inches,” Longley added.
The storm is slated to depart the region expeditiously come Sunday, although Longley mentions the possibility of lingering light snow in New England, particularly around Boston, coastal New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine.
National Winter Weather Prediction
The accompanying map displays the likelihood of regions receiving more than 4 inches of snow. Utilize the slider located at the top left to toggle between different days.
This content was initially featured on USA TODAY: Where will snowfall occur this weekend? Keep track of snowfall totals in the Midwest and Northeast.
