Consecutive Storms Could Cause Weekend Disruptions Across the East

The forecast for the weekend is coming into more precise focus with meteorologists warning that two different storm systems are gearing up to take a swipe at the eastern U.S. A mix of rain, snow, and ice is on tap for this part of the country. Here is what you need to know about the volatile weekend forecast.

Two Weekend Storms Building Across the Eastern U.S.

A pair of weather makers will disrupt the weekend for many Americans across the interior portions of the Southeast and up into the Northeast. The precipitation will precede the arrival of the coldest temperatures of the winter season thus far.

It may be difficult to distinguish the tail end of one system from the beginning of the second storm. Meanwhile, some areas may miss out on the precipitation completely due to the hit and miss nature of these storms. In addition to the potential of icy conditions on the roads, travelers may also experience delays in the air due to the necessitation of deicing operations on aircraft.

Although temperatures will remain moderate at the start of the weekend, an influx of air filtering down from Siberia will cause some of the wet areas to freeze over during the back half of the weekend and into the start of the new work week.

Prior to the arrival of this duo of storm systems, the central Great Lakes, the eastern Ohio Valley, and the western Appalachians were dealing with wintry precipitation that came along with a quick-moving Alberta clipper system late Wednesday. This snow stuck around through the day Thursday, creating dicey road conditions. The greatest amount of accumulation out of the clipper system fell over the central Appalachians.

Details of First Weekend System

The first storm of the weekend will hit late Friday and into Saturday across the Southeast. Warmer temperatures in this corner of the country will translate to the precipitation falling primarily as rain. The region should brace for the threat of locally heavy rain, thunderstorms, and urban flooding.

Colder temperatures in the higher terrains of the southern Appalachians will mean that this region may see freezing rain and sleet as the storm fires up late Friday. There is also the potential of snow and sleet impacting parts of northern Alabama, northern Georgia, and over into western North Carolina and eastern portions of Tennessee. This wintry precipitation would likely fall late Saturday and into early Sunday.

For instance, Asheville, North Carolina is forecast to see rain and snow showers develop Sunday morning. A morning high of about 40 degrees will fall steadily throughout the day as the cold air reaches this part of the Southeast. It will also be a bit breezy in Asheville with winds out of the north-northwest at 10 to 20 mph. The mercury will plummet to about 11 degrees overnight.

Forecasters are warning that even if these areas dodge the wintry precipitation, the falling temperatures overnight Saturday will mean that rain still on the ground could freeze over. Motorists will want to be extra cautious and aware of the potential of black ice.

Heading to the north, warmer temperatures in front of the first storm will also mean rain for parts of the mid-Atlantic and up into New England early Saturday. This rain is forecast to transition to snow later in the day Saturday as the mercury dips below freezing.

Details of Second Weekend Storm

The second storm of the weekend will deliver a higher chance of wintry precipitation due to the colder air coming in along with it. However, this storm is also expected to be weaker in nature, limiting the amount of snow accumulation. Forecasters believe that the storm will strengthen as it moves to the east, meaning that New England will see the highest degrees of impacts.

A few inches of snow is in the forecast for parts of the southern Appalachians and the mid-Atlantic coastline. The latest forecast models indicate that this snow will begin to fall Sunday afternoon. The flakes will reach central and southeastern New England beginning Sunday evening.

The greatest chance of meaningful snow accumulation will be along portions of Interstate 77 in North Carolina and up and down the busy Interstate 95 corridor in New England and the Northeast. The populated metro areas of Washington, D.C, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston could all see plowable snow out of this late weekend weather maker.

The Interstate 85 corridor stretching from Atlanta to Richmond, Virginia is most likely to see a mix of snow and ice. The precise temperatures at the time that the moisture arrives will dictate the form of precipitation that develops and hits the ground.

More Winter Weather Possible for the Southern U.S. Next Week

It has already been a notable winter for the southern U.S. thanks to the early January winter storm that brought life to a halt in cities such as Atlanta. The Arctic air that is going to spill down into the central and eastern U.S. starting this weekend will eventually slide into the southern tier of the country by later next week. As such, forecasters are warning that the South could be in store for more wintry precipitation.

As of late this week, meteorologists are monitoring the possibilities of two more winter storms for the South through next week. For instance, there is a chance of snow in the forecast for Atlanta by late Tuesday thanks to temperatures that top out at about the freezing mark for a high and drop into the upper teens after the sun goes down.

Snow and ice could fall as far south as Interstate 10 that runs along the Gulf Coast by Monday. The second southern storm of next week may also make a run at the Northeast. We will continue to update this situation as the models become clearer in the coming days.

Did you find this content useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline for reference later.