East Coast Braces for Nor’easter: Snowfall Forecasts Increase

A significant winter storm is poised to affect the Northeast starting Sunday, with the potential for snowfall forecasted to increase. A shift in weather models has heightened expectations for a nor’easter, particularly along coastal regions. This comes as winter storm watches have been issued for areas expecting six inches or more of snow.

Regions Encountering Impact

Winter storm warnings extend from the mid-Atlantic region, including Philadelphia, to New York City and southern New England. Notably, blizzard conditions may be possible on Long Island, New York.

Forecast Uncertainties

While forecast models have shown recent improvements, they still diverge on the storm’s exact path. The storm’s track will play a crucial role in determining whether this nor’easter delivers heavy snow and damaging winds across a broad area or impacts primarily coastal sites with moderate snowfall inland.

Even a minor deviation of 100 miles could significantly change the forecast. Increased confidence regarding the storm’s track and effects is expected by Saturday.

Possible Scenarios

• Coastal Impact: If the storm takes a path that remains mostly offshore, major impacts may be limited to coastal areas. However, regions from southern New England to the mid-Atlantic will still see moderate snow and gusty winds, particularly affecting major cities like Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.
• Inland Rain: Initial precipitation in parts of the mid-Atlantic may start as rain before changing to snow when colder air arrives. Snow totals could remain below six inches in this scenario, causing manageable travel disruptions.
• Significant Coastal Snow: Coastal areas, especially from New Jersey to Long Island, have the highest chance of receiving significant snowfall. In this case, heavy, wet snow alongside strong winds could create blizzard-like conditions, complicating travel and potentially leading to snapped tree branches and scattered power outages.

Flooding Risks

Coastal flooding is anticipated during the Sunday night high tide, affecting areas along the Jersey Shore and southeastern New England. Minor to moderate coastal flooding could pose additional challenges for residents.

Severe Storm Scenario

In a severe outcome where the storm develops close to the Northeast coast, major impacts could affect a wide area from Washington, DC to Boston. Snow totals in this scenario could exceed six inches, with some areas possibly receiving a foot or more. Travel disruptions would be significant, with hazardous conditions at both roadways and airports from Sunday morning into Monday.

A solid likelihood of blizzard conditions may occur in these coastal regions. This would lead to the same risks of power outages and flooding due to the combination of heavy snow and substantial wind gusts.

Residents are advised to prepare for what could become a major nor’easter by securing necessary supplies and planning ahead for potential travel interruptions.