3 things to know ahead of a potential East Coast winter storm this weekend
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
New year, new weather pattern.After a record-warm month of December for much of the U.S., January will be a different story, with a colder and more active weather pattern set to hit a large swath of the country through the first two weeks of the year.
This includes Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; and New York City, which could be looking at their first significant winter storm potential in two years.
A potential storm system would affect eastern areas including the mid-Atlantic, Northeast and New England from Saturday to Monday. With the potential weekend winter storm still several days away, here are three things to know ahead of it.
It's been a while since it snowed more than 1 inch in the big cities
As a whole, 2023 was a record-setting low snow year for nearly the entire I-95 corridor from Richmond, Virginia, to New York City.
New York picked up just 2.3 inches of snow all last season — a new record low. It also broke the record for latest first measurable snow, not seeing any snow until February. This was the first time Central Park failed to pick up any snow during December or January in a winter season.
New York is just one of a roster of cities in the midst of their longest streaks of not seeing 1 inch or more of snow in a 24-hour period.
New York City (687 days), Philadelphia (702 days) and Baltimore (703 days) are all having their longest streak of consecutive days without more than 1 inch of snow on record. Washington, D.C., (713 days) and Richmond (715 days) are sitting at their second-longest streaks.
A significant storm is likely, but it's too early to predict exact snowfall totals
A significant storm is likely, but it's too early to predict exact snowfall totals. The track of the storm will determine where the rain and snow line sets up and what locations see all snow, all rain or a mix of both (including the potential for some ice).
With temperatures expected to be right around freezing, it is looking likely that what snow falls will be heavy and wet in nature as opposed to light and fluffy.
The best accumulating snow potential is north and west of the I-95 corridor
The I-95 corridor is likely to be near or located right on the rain and snow dividing line depending on the track of the storm.
This could mean that areas north and west of the urban corridor like Hagerstown, Maryland; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Poughkeepsie, New York; and Worcester, Massachusetts, could see accumulating snow, while the I-95 cities like Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston could see lighter accumulations, a mix of rain and snow, or predominantly wet roadways.
As of Monday night's forecast models, I-95 cities like Washington, Philadelphia and New York had approximately a 60%-80% chance of seeing at least 1 inch of snow.
By contrast, more interior Northeast cities had a 70%-90% chance of seeing at least 1 inch of snow.
The odds for I-95 cities versus interior Northeast cities get even more spread out when looking at the potential for at least 6 inches of snow. The I-95 corridor cities had just a 10%-30% chance of seeing half a foot of snow, and the interior Northeast cities were closer to a 40%-60% chance.
It's not just the East Coast looking at a stormy start to 2024.
Out west, 2024 is picking up right where 2023 left off, with a parade of Pacific storms bringing rain, mountain snow and more battering waves to that region.
On Tuesday, high surf advisories for coastal areas and winter alerts for the Sierra were in effect.
High surf advisories are in effect through Wednesday and into Thursday from the Bay Area stretching down to Southern California. Across these areas, large waves are forecast to batter parts of the West Coast and could lead to some coastal flooding for vulnerable areas.
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Stay inside. Get drunk. Read books
that's the 3 things you need to know
Here in the land of OZ we have yet to experience winter.
Had one day of snow and it all melted the next day.
Have yet to push the 4x4 lock button on my Tacoma.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
I say it's a good thing. I hate winter and snow
Back when I had functioning knees I loved to ski.
Black diamond slopes were fun.
I miss being young.
Me, too.
However, some people seem to find it swimming weather.
(There are pictures in the article below.)
I used to ski a lot. Mr Giggles says I'm never getting on skis again. He's a killjoy
There's no accounting for crazy
Wearing an insulated base layer under ski pants a hooded sweatshirt and a winter ski jacket and don't even plan on leaving the house. Just tried on my insulated Baffin snow boots in case a trip to the mailbox becomes necessary.
Winter has finally arrived today with a couple inches of snow so far and cold temps.
Wow! Good luck!
I have lived in houses that kind of gear was almost necessary in the winter.
These days I am fortunate to live in a fairly well insulated home and have a wood stove for heat.
That is best way to deal with a snowstorm
In upstate NY (about a mile from Lake Ontario) if you don't get more than a foot(or 2) in 24 hours it is pretty much business as usual. Get the snowblowers. snow mobiles ready and have some outdoor fun.
The easy coast based news shows, such as the Today Show, spend an awful lot of time devoted to east coast weather events. In sports reporting, they call that east coast bias.
Most parts of the country have bad weather.
We have sunshine and 59 degrees
for now
So AGW can be a good thing?
You are correct, Sir. Arkansas weather can turn on a dime
I'm not answering that
What's to know? There will be snow, cold, and shoveling. That's pretty much the same for any winter storm.
And that's why I moved to Arizona oh so many years ago. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever died of a heart attack from shoveling sunshine out of their driveway.
Currently we have less than a half inch of snow. Up until now it's been unseasonably warm. This new system is only expected to drop about an inch or 2 here from Friday afternoon into Sunday morning. The rest of you stay warm and stay safe.
In other weather related news -
I remember when snow was measured in feet not inches
We also have a record lowest amount of ice on the Great Lakes right now. Less than a half percent of the lakes have ice.
I'm predicting 0 inches of snow for the next century in Ocala, FL.
Although the next four to five days are going to be unseasonably cold.
I will be dressing accordingly in my new and improved ''fur-lined jockstrap'' and stylish Ugg boots to complement my boogie board shorts and semi tank top (also known as a jeep top).
Beach drinks will be served without ice due to the inclement weather.
LOL!
Morning...hope you are wearing your thongs... don't want something in your foot..😁😁