Snow Forecast: Nor'easter Could Bring Heavy Snow as snow forecast Tightens
Forecast guidance shifted Friday, making another major winter storm far more likely to produce significant snow this weekend, and the tightening snow forecast matters because it could disrupt the start of the week for millions along the I-95 corridor. Snow is expected to begin Sunday, with the primary impacts arriving Sunday night into Monday morning.
Snow Forecast Details
Models that forecasters use moved toward a much snowier outlook on Friday, and the developing coastal storm is expected to take shape overnight Saturday, with snowfall picking up through Sunday and continuing into Monday. Some guidance showed a window of potentially 18 to 24 hours of snowfall in the worst bands. One set of guidance placed amounts for New York City in the 6–12 inch range, while other guidance suggested 8–12 inches for New York City and Philadelphia. Boston guidance leaned higher, with ranges cited near 12–18 inches. Between Boston and Philadelphia there was a greater-than-50 percent probability of at least six inches in some forecasts. Forecast teams noted totals could hold steady or increase as the pattern continued to firm.
Expected Impacts Along I-95
This will not be only a snow story. Forecasters warned of strong, potentially damaging winds and coastal flooding where the storm is strongest, and areas that receive the heaviest, wet snow could face power outages as snow adheres to trees and lines. In and around major cities from Washington, D. C., to Boston, emergency officials were preparing for the possibility of more than a foot of snow in the worst-hit locations. Some guidance also suggested a wintry mix or freezing rain could arrive ahead of the heavier snow in places like Washington, D. C., which would reduce final snowfall totals and create slippery travel conditions. The primary snow window — especially for the I-95 corridor — is expected Sunday night into Monday morning, a timing that could complicate commutes and the beginning of the workweek.
Uncertainties and What Comes Next
Key uncertainties remain. Forecasters said the precise coastal track will determine local totals: even a 50–100 mile jog east or west would translate into noticeably less or more snow for millions. A crucial factor is whether two pieces of upper-atmosphere energy align near the coast; if they do, the coastal low would be much more likely to strengthen rapidly. Officials noted a firm forecast for specific towns and neighborhoods likely won’t be available until the storm circulation organizes off the coast Saturday or even into Sunday morning. Expect updates as guidance continues to evolve; if the storm stays close enough to the coast and the upper-level features phase, the most intense snow bands, the strongest winds and the highest risk of coastal flooding will occur where those features lock together.
Key takeaways: Forecast guidance tightened Friday toward a significant nor'easter for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast; snowfall is expected to begin Sunday, with the primary impact window Sunday night into Monday morning. Local totals in guidance varied from several inches to more than a foot, with the heaviest snow and strongest winds most likely where atmospheric energy aligns near the coast.
