Washington, D.C. and Baltimore Next Major Cities to See Snow

The powerful winter storm that brought life to a halt across the central Plains over the weekend is now roaring through parts of the mid-Atlantic. It is going to be a messy day of weather for cities such as Washington, D.C. and Baltimore on Monday as the storm continues to push to the east. Read on for what you can expect in the coming hours.

Winter Weather Pushes Into the Mid-Atlantic After Slamming Central Plains

The central U.S. is digging out after snowfall of up to a foot fell across the region beginning late Saturday. Other communities had to deal with hazardous ice that turned roads and sidewalks into skating rinks.

The state of Kansas took the brunt of the impacts of this three-pronged weather maker that delivered snow, ice, and severe storms, depending on location. Interstate 70 was shut down at various times in Kansas as ice and snow fell in droves. Much of the state was under blizzard warnings thanks to high winds that paired with the snow to bring visibility down to near zero at times.

All state highways in the northeastern corner of the Sunflower State were closed on Sunday as a result of the conditions. The Kansas Highway Patrol was warning that motorists that tried to venture out could be stuck on the roads for a long period of time as emergency responders experienced challenges reaching stranded drivers.

The line of ice and snow chugged to the east throughout the day Sunday, wreaking havoc in places such as St. Louis. It was a similar scene in Louisville, Kentucky where over 6 inches of snow coated the highways. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was pleading with residents to stay home and stay safe.

Not surprisingly, the far-reaching storm also triggered widespread disruptions to the nation's air network. There were over 1,000 flight cancellations along with more than 3,000 delays on Sunday alone. The disruptions will carry over into the start of the new week as airlines work to recover.

The southern flank of the storm saw the impacts in the form of severe weather as the cold air coming in from the north clashed with the warmer air to the south. Severe thunderstorms sprung up on Sunday in a zone from eastern Texas and through Mississippi. While the severe weather was not as potent as initially feared, a tornado reportedly was on the ground in southern Arkansas. Other parts of the region sustained damage due to high winds.

What is Next for This Monster Weather Maker?

Forecasters are now warning that the mid-Atlantic is next in line to see the impacts of this storm system. The latest models are calling for between 6 and 12 inches of snow for southern Ohio and into parts of West Virginia, northern Virginia, and the bulk of Maryland and Delaware. The southern tier of New Jersey will also likely see significant snow out of this system.

Both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore are in the bullseye for the potentially dangerous weather with about 6 inches of snow on tap. Should this forecast come to fruition, it would be the first major winter storm for these cities in three years. Snowfall could fall at the rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour during the height of the storm activity, likely falling during the Monday morning commute. Snowfall that falls at this fast of a clip presents challenges for road crews to keep up with the clearing. Sleet may also mix in with the snow at times in this part of the region.

Plowable snow is expected to fall as far south as northern Virginia and as far to the north as the central portions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio. While New York City will dodge the bulk of the snow, the Big Apple should prepare for up to an inch by the time that the system exits out to the sea. The southern and western suburbs of the city will likely end up with higher totals.

Motorists will want to exercise caution and time trips to avoid the worst of the snow across some portions of interstates 66, 70, 81, 95, and 270. In addition to the snow, freezing rain and sleet is possible for parts of Kentucky, central and southern Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The ice will also raise the threat of power outages.

The biggest issue for some communities will be the combination of snow and ice. The pairing of these two types of precipitation will make it more likely that trees and power lines fall under the weight of the accumulation.