A strong winter storm recently brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain to many areas across the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. However, another storm is on the way, bringing more winter weather this weekend. Forecasters predict that this new system will move across the northern part of the country, causing heavy snowfall from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast. In addition, the mid-Atlantic region may see more ice accumulation.
According to the National Weather Service, moderate to heavy snow is expected in several regions. On Friday, snow will fall in parts of the northern Rockies, northern Plains, and the upper Mississippi Valley. By Saturday, the Great Lakes region will experience snowfall, followed by the Northeast on Saturday and Sunday. Freezing rain is also expected to develop on Saturday morning in parts of the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic, which are the same areas that faced icy conditions earlier in the week.
Snowfall totals could be significant in certain areas. Parts of the upper Midwest, northern Pennsylvania, and New York State may see over eight inches of snow. In the New York tristate area, snow is expected to start early Saturday afternoon and continue through Sunday. New York City could receive up to six inches of snow, while areas north of the city could get around nine inches. In parts of New England, snowfall could reach up to a foot or even more. Meanwhile, the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic regions could see up to a tenth of an inch of ice, making roads and sidewalks slippery.
This winter has already been quite active, and February is starting off with back-to-back storms. Forecasters warn that another storm could bring more snow and ice to the mid-Atlantic and areas along the Interstate 95 corridor early next week. Historically, February is the snowiest month for the Northeast. According to data from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, February has more high-impact snowstorms than any other month of the year.
Even with all this winter weather, there are some early signs of spring. The National Weather Service in Philadelphia recently pointed out that “Solar Spring” has begun. This is the time of year when daylight increases at a faster pace, continuing until early May. While the snow and ice may continue for now, the days are slowly getting longer, signaling that warmer weather is on the horizon.
