Mid-Atlantic snow to unfold as travel-halting blizzard in New England
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March 11, 2018; 3:59 PM
- Heavy snow and blizzard conditions may bring travel to a halt in Boston and Portland, Maine, on Tuesday.
- Coastal communities from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to mid-Atlanitc face a renewed risk for minor coastal flooding and power outages.
- Greatest risk for power outages and threat lives and property to exists in eastern New England
The disruptive snowstorm targeting parts of the mid-Atlantic through Monday night will lash eastern New England with blizzard conditions on Tuesday.
The storm is expected to rapidly strengthen Monday night into Tuesday, potentially undergoing bombogenesis.
Eastern New England is bracing for the worst of the storm with more than a foot of snowfall, blizzard conditions and strong winds. However, disruptive snow will first streak across the southern Appalachians and southern mid-Atlantic.
Snow to extend eastward across Virginia, North Carolina into Monday evening
Several inches of snow accumulated across central Kentucky, southwestern Virginia and the mountains of North Carolina into Monday. Icy spots may develop on area roads as temperatures dip in the wake of the storm.
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Snow is expected to extend eastward to Raleigh, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia, during Monday evening. The highest totals are likely to be measured on grassy and elevated surfaces, but slick travel can still result where the snow falls heavily.
"In order for snow to accumulate on roads during the middle of March from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, it must snow at a heavy rate to cool down both the atmosphere and road surface," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. "Conditions can change for the worse rather quickly during the evening."
Light snowfall can coat roads and create slippery travel more easily after dark when temperatures dip into the lower 30s or lower.
As the snow spreads across the southern mid-Atlantic on Monday, winds will increase along the coast from North Carolina to New Jersey. Minor coastal flooding may result at high tides into Tuesday.
Minimal storm impacts expected from Washington, D.C., to New York City
The track of the storm will allow the Interstate-95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to New York City to escape the worst of the nor'easter.
Occasional wet snow is in store for Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia Monday night. Any accumulation will be less than an inch and mainly confined to grassy surfaces. However, lingering wet or slushy areas can turn icy at night in the suburbs.
Snowfall may be more persistent from New Jersey to around the New York City area with amounts Monday night into Tuesday averaging 1-3 inches. Unless the snow falls heavily for a time, most roads will be wet. Higher snow totals can lead to more slick travel across Long Island.
"A moderate snowfall may catch the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, while areas from Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, are likely to receive a couple of inches or less," Sosnowski said.
A track closer to the coast would bring more snow and mounting travel disruptions for the Tuesday morning commute to this section of the I-95 corridor.
New England to face another nor'easter; Blizzard conditions to lash eastern areas
Regardless of the amount of snow that falls between Washington, D.C., and New York City, the storm is expected to be more disruptive and perhaps damaging across New England.
The strengthening nor'easter will drop enough snow to plow, shovel and cause slick travel over New England beginning Monday night and continuing on Tuesday and into Tuesday night. The snow may continue to pile up across northern New England on Wednesday.
Snowfall in northern and eastern New England may exceed 2 feet in some locations into the middle of the week. Travel will be extremely difficult as the snow clogs roads.
Like many similar storms a span of 25 miles may be the difference between a manageable amount of snow to one that severely hampers travel and daily activities.
Roofs, especially flat ones, that have not been cleared of the excessive snowfall from the last nor'easter may fail during this heavy snow event.
Strong winds are expected to create dangerous blizzard conditions along the eastern coast of New England. Travel can be brought to a halt in Boston and Portland, Maine, on Tuesday. The ripple effect of flight cancellations at these major airports may impact air travelers elsewhere in the nation as crews and aircraft are displaced by the storm.
The combination of the wind and snow can lead to renewed power outages and tree damage, especially where wires and branches have been weakened by the recent nor'easters.
Winds can gust between 45 and 55 mph along the New England coast with gusts to around 70 mph possible on Cape Cod and the nearby islands.
Motorists that venture out during or just prior to the storm's arrival will be at risk for getting stranded. A winter survival kit is a must for those who must travel.
Similar to the mid-Atlantic, the storm will cause winds and waves to increase along the New England coast Monday night into Tuesday. Residents along the coast can expect moderate to major flooding for two to three high tide cycles.
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"As has been the case with the prior nor'easters in the past couple of weeks, small craft should remain in port as the storm approaches," Sosnowski said. "Large ocean-going vessels may want to consider altering their schedule until the risk of heavy seas subsides."
While the impending nor'easter is expected to avoid the central Appalachians and Great Lakes, these areas will not escape cold winds, snow showers and localized squalls early this week.
Cold air with brisk to blustery conditions is forecast to linger into the St. Patrick's Day weekend in the wake of the storm.
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