Two More Chances of Snow in the East Into Midweek

Linda Lam
Published: February 7,2016
A pattern change across the East will allow for two chances of snow over the next few days, as a series of low pressure systems develop near the coast.
While some snow and sleet has fallen as far south as eastern North Carolina from the first storm, portions of New England recently hit by Winter Storm Lexi could be digging out from more snow as we start the new week.
(MORE: Winter Storm Central)
Hopefully, you enjoyed the mild and record-breaking temperatures last week as significant changes are underway, thanks to a southward dip in the jet stream across the eastern United States. An "Alberta clipper" cold front will sweep through the northern Plains and into the Mississippi Valley to start the week, bringing another blast of arctic air. This cold front is then expected to push off the East Coast by Monday night or Tuesday morning.
Strong winds and snow associated with the clipper will cause blizzard conditions over parts of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
(MORE: Blizzard Conditions Likely Across North-Central States)
There are still differences in forecast model guidance for this pair of systems, which leaves uncertainty for exactly where and how much snow may fall.
Below we highlight the next two systems coming up.

System #1: Carolinas Into Sunday, New England Monday

The first system we are watching is currently strengthening off the coast of the Carolinas. The track of this offshore low will determine the ultimate impact of this system on the East Coast. That area of low pressure may undergo what meteorologists call bombogenesis. This is a term generally applied to a storm whose minimum pressure drops at least 24 millibars in 24 hours, indicating a strong and rapidly intensifying storm system.
Despite the far offshore track of the strong low, it will still have a significant impact on eastern New England due its very large area of precipitation and strong winds. An additional component of this storm is the potential for ocean-enhanced snowfall near the coast due to strong northeast winds helping to pull extra moisture in from the Atlantic.
The National Weather Service has already posted winter storm watches for parts of southeast New England, including Boston and Providence, in advance of the storm.
Below is our latest thinking on this system.

Winter Weather Alerts

Next Target for Snow: New England

• Moderate to locally heavy snowfall will impact eastern New England on Monday, along with strong winds gusting to 45 mph. The combination of snow and wind may lead to low visibility and dangerous travel conditions, particularly near coastal locations.
• Blizzard or near-blizzard conditions are possible south of Boston from coastal Plymouth County to Cape Cod and the Islands.
• Accumulations of up to 6 inches are possible across much of eastern New England, including Boston.
• A narrow stripe of heavier snow of up to 10 inches is expected in southeastern Massachusetts and northeast Maine.
• Some downed tree limbs and power lines are possible in southeast Massachusetts due to strong winds and the weight of what will initially be wet snow.
• Moderate coastal flooding is possible in eastern Massachusetts with the Monday late morning to midday high tide. Vulnerable roads and basements could be flooded, according to the National Weather Service.
• At least a few snow showers or flurries will be possible as far west as the Jersey Shore and the New York City metropolitan area. However, no major accumulations are expected there.

Snowfall Forecast

Southeast Coastal Impacts

• Rain from this system will impact the eastern Carolinas through Sunday.
• There should be enough cold air across portions eastern North Carolina to bring some wet snowflakes or sleet into Sunday evening.
• For now, we expect only spotty, light accumulations possibly causing some localized travel impacts. Traffic accidents were reported due to light sleet accumulations in Wilson County, North Carolina, Sunday morning.
• Strong winds are also likely in the eastern Carolinas and southeast Virginia Sunday, along with minor or moderate coastal flooding. Portions of North Carolina's Outer Banks could see gusts to 60 mph through early Monday, potentially resulting in some power outages.

(FORECASTS: Charleston, South Carolina | Wilmington, North Carolina | Nantucket, Massachusetts)

System #2: South to Northeast Monday Night into Wednesday

Yet another round of snow and wind will quickly follow in behind the first system mentioned above Monday through Wednesday, however details on how impactful this system may be are uncertain.

Monday Night's Forecast

Key Points:

• Monday and Monday night, a widespread area of snow showers will extend from the Great Lakes into the Appalachians, mid-Atlantic and even possibly parts of the Southeast.
• Mainly light to locally moderate snow will linger Tuesday into Wednesday from the Great Lakes into the Appalachians and Northeast as low pressure develops and strengthens near or off the coast of the Northeast.

Tuesday's Forecast

• Although it appears that the ingredients may not come together just right for a major winter storm, additional accumulating snow is likely across the region. Uncertainty exists with where some locally heavier totals may be found in the region.

(FORECASTS: Atlanta | Washington D.C. | Boston)

Snowfall Forecast Through Wednesday

Check back with weather.com for the latest updates on the potential for wintry conditions in the East over the next week.
MORE: Winter Storm Lexi (PHOTOS)