Snow Forecast: Nor'easter Could Deliver Major Weekend Snow in Northeast

Forecasts on Friday began to make another major snowstorm look far more likely, and the snow forecast tightened as models shifted to a far snowier outlook. Snow is expected to begin Sunday, with the primary window of heavy precipitation arriving Sunday night into Monday morning — a timing that could complicate the start of the workweek for millions along the I-95 corridor.

Snow Forecast and timing

Forecasters say the system is expected to take shape overnight Saturday and then intensify as it moves off the East Coast. The most likely period for the heaviest snow is Sunday into Monday, with the storm potentially organizing late Saturday or early Sunday morning. Officials are preparing for a longer-duration event that could bring 18 to 24 hours of snowfall in the hardest-hit bands.

Expected snow totals across I-95

Model guidance has shifted toward heavier accumulations for major population centers. Forecast ranges noted for cities along the I-95 corridor include 8–12 inches for New York City and Philadelphia, while Boston is facing a higher range near 12–18 inches through Monday. Between Boston and Philadelphia there is now said to be better than a 50% probability that at least six inches will fall in many locations. Forecasters caution that some local totals could rise as the forecast continues to firm up.

Winds, coastal flooding and travel impacts

This will not be only a snow story. Strong, potentially damaging winds and coastal flooding are possible where the storm is strongest, and regions that combine heavy snow and high winds could experience blizzard-like conditions. The snow is expected to be wet and heavy in many areas, increasing the risk of tree damage and power outages and making shoveling more difficult. When warmer air intrudes, cities such as Washington, D. C., could see a wintry mix or freezing rain before a changeover to snow, which would reduce overall snowfall totals there and create slippery travel conditions.

Key uncertainties and what to watch

Forecast uncertainty centers on the storm's exact track and how closely two separate streams of upper-level energy align near the coast. If those energy systems phase near the shoreline, the coastal low would likely strengthen rapidly and shift heavier snow and stronger winds closer to major metropolitan areas. Forecasters note that a 50–100 mile jog east or west in the storm track would materially change snow amounts for millions. Officials expect a firmer picture once the system organizes offshore late Saturday or early Sunday morning.

Key takeaways:

• The snow forecast tightened Friday; snow is expected to begin Sunday with peak impacts Sunday night into Monday morning.
• Forecast ranges include roughly 8–12 inches for New York City and Philadelphia and 12–18 inches for Boston, with local variations possible.

Emergency managers and transportation officials across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast are preparing for plowable totals, strong winds and coastal flooding. Residents in the potential path are advised to monitor local advisories and be ready for rapidly changing conditions as the storm organizes off the coast.