Forecasters are more certain that an upcoming winter storm will have at least minimal repercussions in three Eastern states early next week.
A powerful blast of cold air is predicted to drive a winter storm capable of dumping snow and ice across 22 states, causing hazardous travel and disrupting conditions from the Midwest to the Northeast. Meteorologists believe the system is emerging on the heels of several smaller rounds of snowfall expected to hit the region over the weekend, creating the basis for a larger and more widespread event. The fresh winter storm arrives while most of the Northeast is still buried in massive snowfall from earlier this week, with some locations receiving more than 3 feet.
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Earlier in the week, the possibilities of modest storm-related damage were widespread but low, considering that the storm was still a week away. Forecasters now predict a 60 percent risk or greater of modest winter weather impacts in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland.
According to meteorologist Bob Oravec of the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center, freezing rain is more likely with snow during this system, particularly in states with the highest risk of impact. “A period of freezing rain and sleet could begin as early as Tuesday morning in parts of the Central Appalachians into Maryland and Pennsylvania,” he warned. “It doesn’t look like a big snowfall accumulation [in this area].”
If snow falls, Oravec believes it would most likely pile in northern New York and New England during the day on Wednesday next week.
The NWS Weather Prediction Center’s forecast map shows which states are at highest risk.
A 5 percent possibility of modest winter storm impacts exists as far west as the Southern Plains and as far south as North Carolina. Chances increase by 20–30% across the Great Lakes and Midwest regions. The Northeast is expecting the biggest number of effects, with 40 percent or greater from West Virginia to New Hampshire.
Although the impending winter storm is not predicted to be as powerful as the terrible blizzard that hit earlier this month, AccuWeather meteorologists warned that several inches of snow could still fall across the affected area. However, as of late Friday morning, the NWS had not issued any winter weather alerts for the region. Alerts such as winter weather advisories may be issued as the storm approaches, depending on the severity of the prediction.
