Snow in the Forecast for the Populated Cities of the Northeast

While it will be brief in duration, a snowstorm packing a quick shot of moisture could hamper travel across the Northeast on Sunday. This weather maker is set to impact the most populated cities along the Interstate 95 corridor, including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston. Here is what you need to know about this quickly approaching winter storm.

East Coast Braces for Late Weekend Winter Weather

An incoming storm is forecast to snarl travel and cause significant disruptions to the weekend plans of millions across the Northeast. The system will primarily impact the region on Sunday, stretching from West Virginia and up through Maine. Not only will motorists be impacted by the wintry precipitation but air travel could also see the negative effects.

While the weekend got started on a calm note with mild temperatures in the Northeast, that is all starting to change for the region. Bitterly cold air that originated in Siberia is making a push toward the U.S. ahead of the storm, supporting the development of all types of wintry precipitation. A weaker storm earlier in the weekend brought spotty rain and drizzle along the coastal areas of the Northeast but forecasters are warning that the second of the duo of storms will pack a bigger punch at the hands of the colder temperatures in place.

Widespread snow is expected with the Sunday storm. Not only will the snow cause issues on roadways but airports will also likely need to undergo deicing protocols. As a result, air travelers should prepare for flight cancellations and delays throughout the major hubs in the Northeast. These disruptions could have a ripple effect throughout the nation's air network by the weekend and heading into the beginning of next week.

This event is shaping up to be the first major snowstorm for the busy Interstate 95 corridor of the year. While some snow has hit various communities along this corridor, the region has not seen a widespread event. What is most surprising is that New England is the part of the region that has been left out of the snow production thus far this winter season.

How Much Snow to Expect

The latest models indicate that the heaviest snow bands will set up along the corridor between Washington, D.C. and Boston. This area is expecting 1 to 6 inches of snow out of this system. The fast nature of this system will mitigate snow amounts. The greatest amount of accumulation is expected in New England.

The winter weather could put a wrench in tailgating plans for fans of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are scheduled to host the Los Angeles Rams during the NFL playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff time is scheduled for 3 pm local time, just as the snow hits its peak. The City of Brotherly Love is forecast to see a steadier snow coming together in the latter part of the day, eventually depositing 3 to 5 inches of accumulation over the metro area. Temperatures will hold steady throughout the day in the low to mid 30s while overnight lows will slide to about 17 degrees.

The mountains of New England could see up to a foot of snow out of the Sunday storm. Some areas of the Poconos in the northeastern corner of Philadelphia as well as New York's Catskill Mountains could also see snow that reaches the one-foot mark. Meanwhile, the western edge of Pennsylvania and central and western portions of New York may escape with just a dusting on snow due to the sharp gradient of this system.

Possibilities of a Bomb Cyclone?

Forecasters are warning that there is an outside chance that this system could intensify quickly enough to meet the requirements to be designated a bomb cyclone. An official bomb cyclone is defined as a storm with a central barometric pressure that drops 0.71 of an inch mercury or greater in a period of 24 hours or less. Should this intensification happen, it would most likely happen on Sunday morning and into Monday morning as the system moves up into Atlantic Canada.

The cold temperatures associated with the storm have forced the decision to move Monday's Inauguration Day festivities indoors. It is tradition for the incoming president to take the oath of office outside on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building. However, President-elect Donald Trump announced on Friday that all elements of the ceremony will be moved indoors into the Capitol Rotunda due to the expectation of frigid temperatures.

The current forecast for Washington, D.C. is calling for periods of snow on Sunday amounting to about 1 to 3 inches. While this snow should be cleared off the roads in time for the inauguration, the winter weather could cause travel problems for the thousands of people expected to visit the capital on Monday. Sunday's morning high of about 37 degrees will fall to about the freezing mark by the end of the day before landing at about 20 degrees overnight. Sunday will also be breezy with winds out of the north at 10 to 20 mph making it feel even chillier.

The snow is likely to wrap up late Sunday, however, it will remain frigid on Monday in Washington, D.C. Highs will top out at about 24 degrees despite the mostly sunny skies. Winds will be whipping around from the west-northwest at 10 to 20 mph. Forecasters are also warning that any leftover slush from Sunday could freeze again on Monday as a result of the temperatures that will bottom out well below the freezing mark.

It will take longer for the snow to make it up the coast in New England. While Boston will start the day dry, the snow will pick up in intensity in the evening and overnight hours. You can expect about 3 to 5 inches of fresh snow overnight Sunday and into Monday. Winds will also pick up overnight in Boston, hitting speeds of 10 to 20 mph.

Lastly, meteorologists are keeping a close eye on the possibility of a developing storm that could impact the southern U.S. before moving up the Atlantic coastline later next week. We will continue to keep tabs on all of these potential disruptions and update as needed.

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