Washington, DC received several inches of snow, the first time more than one inch was measured in more than two years.
“This next storm won’t hit nor’easter in the early week and 18-36 inches is certainly not the forecast this time around,” said CNN Meteorologist Taylor Ward.
However, “there will be a 4-8” strip from the southern Appalachians through the mid-Atlantic and into the northeast. If the low air pressure can track closer to the coast, these predicted totals could increase, ”Ward said.
Snow timing
Low pressure will develop off the southeastern coast of the US on Saturday night and will intensify along the east coast.
The snow starts Saturday evening over the higher elevations of North Georgia and the western Carolinas.
Travel can become dangerous in temperatures around or around freezing, causing slipperiness.
Another weather disturbance coming from the west will also bring up to two inches of snow to much of the Ohio River Valley. This disturbance will be included in the developing coastal storm.
Sunday, a sprawling snow shield will overtake much of the mid-Atlantic Ocean as it creeps into New England. Flakes may even fall in the Delmarva region, depending on the trajectory of the nor’easter.
The snow for the mid-Atlantic will end on Sunday evening as the system will soon leave offshore.
Light to moderate snow will remain possible in New England before all locations see an end to the snowfall Monday morning.
Uncertain number
This nor’easter can follow a very favorable path that previous storms have taken, causing snow to fall over most of the I-95 corridor, even along the coast.
“Unlike the storm at the beginning of the week, where Cape Cod got mostly rain, there will be more cold air because of the low track and they can eventually see the biggest snow totals in this storm,” Ward said.
However, the model guidance is not locked to the exact track, so any movement affects the forecast. If the storm follows further west, it will lead to rain and mixed precipitation near the coast. A more offshore track will focus the snow on the coast and very little further inland.
Winter storm warnings are in effect from Georgia through Massachusetts, indicating that the risk of heavy snowfall is high.
Temperatures are expected to be close to or slightly above freezing in the vicinity of major cities in the mid-Atlantic, such as Washington, DC and Philadelphia.
In the New York City and New England area, temperatures will likely be cooler. Inland, widespread temperatures are predicted in the 1920s, favoring snow thanks to the supply of cold air from the north.
“This low looks like a classic 4-8 inch snow maker, with quantities depending on the track. At the moment all models are […] are too far to the east for these higher amounts over the [New York City area]said the National Weather Service’s New York office.
In addition to the snow, some gusts of wind are possible.
The strongest winds are expected on the southeastern coast of Massachusetts and the islands, where gusts can exceed 40 mph. This reduces visibility and can potentially lead to snow storms.