ARLINGTON, Va. – The Midwest and East are bracing for potentially paralyzing snow and ice as two storms are forecast to hit this week, with the nation’s capital also in the line of fire. The first storm, part of a recent series, will move through the Midwest on Monday before spreading snow and ice across the Ohio Valley and the East from Virginia to New England by Tuesday. Cities such as Cincinnati, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City are expected to be impacted, with forecasts suggesting 4-8 inches of snow for the Washington area. AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter warned of a persisting pattern of winter storms throughout February, with frequent disturbances expected in many areas. While the Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast states may face steady rainfall, regions further north are likely to experience significant snow and ice accumulation, affecting travel from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic states and southern New England. The storm’s impact may linger as a second storm is predicted to develop by Tuesday night, potentially bringing heavier snow and ice to the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic states. Meanwhile, the West Coast is also preparing for heavy rains in Southern California and significant snowfall in the Sierra region. Weather uncertainties persist as these storms approach, emphasizing the need for caution and preparedness in the face of challenging weather conditions.
The Rockies will see a storm system moving through on Wednesday, with its reach extending towards the central Plains before progressing to the Mid-Atlantic states, according to AccuWeather. This storm is anticipated to closely follow in the footsteps of the early week storm, affecting many of the same areas starting on Wednesday, as stated by Duffus. AccuWeather has issued a warning that cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and Buffalo could experience snowfall and even a period of ice. Additionally, there is a possibility that the swath of sleet and freezing rain may be more widespread with the second storm, particularly across the Mid-Atlantic region and New England.
In the Eastern part of the country, the second wave of the storm could bring either rain or a wintry mix to Arlington and Washington on Wednesday night. Moving further north, cities like New York and Boston are expected to encounter snow and wintry mix. Furthermore, the region might witness another round of rain and wintry mix over the upcoming weekend. This update was originally published on USA TODAY, highlighting the looming threat of two significant winter storms making their way across much of the United States this week.
