Wintry Storm To Impact Eastern U.S. For Midweek
A potent winter storm will bring wind, rain, snow, and ice to the eastern U.S. during the middle of the week.
A departing storm system will allow a little snow, sleet, and freezing drizzle to continue this morning across northern New England. Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect this morning throughout interior portions of the Northeast.
Quick on its heels, another storm system will start to take shape across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys today. An area of low pressure will deepen across the Mid-Atlantic states on Wednesday as it drags a cold front eastward.
The results will be widespread moderate to heavy rainfall on Wednesday from the Northeast through the Southeast states. Rainfall totals of a half of an inch to 2 inches will be common from Georgia northward into New York and New England. Localized rain amounts of 3 to 4 inches will be possible across New England on Wednesday. This rain, when combined with melting snow, can result in localized flooding.
Flood Watches have already been posted across interior portions of the Northeast for Wednesday, and additional watches may be issued later today.
In addition to the rain, gusty winds will develop throughout the day on Wednesday and will continue into Thursday, especially across portions of southern and eastern New England Wednesday afternoon into early Thursday. A High Wind Watch has been issued across southeastern Connecticut, Rhode Island, southeastern and eastern Massachussetts, and southeastern New Hampshire. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be common, while gusts of 60 to 75 mph will be possible at the immediate coast.
As this storm system races into eastern Canada Wednesday night and Thursday, another blast of cold, arctic air will move over the Great Lakes and into the Northeast. Depending on the timing of the arrival of this cold air, rain may end as a period of accumulating snow across the mountains of West Virginia into Pennsylvania, New York, and New England. A few inches of snow will be possible, especially over higher elevations.
Regardless if accumulating snow occurs on the backside of this storm, a rapid change to colder weather can result in icy conditions developing as temperatures plummet below freezing. This will especially be true on bridges and overpasses, as well as other elevated surfaces.
The blast of cold air will also set the stage for another round of lake-effect snow for Wednesday and Thursday. Winter Storm Warnings and Advisories are already posted across northern Wisconsin into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Winter Storm Watches are also posted across northern and western lower Michigan, as well as portions of southwestern and northern New York.
Remember, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!” if you approach a flooded roadway. It’s never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage. It’s always best to avoid travel in rough weather as the roads will be dangerous.