Watching Three Chances of Snow in the East Into Next Week

Linda Lam
Published: February 4,2016



 
Winter Storm Lexi is signaling the beginning of a pattern change, one that will open the door for a more winter-like setup across much of the East and South in the week ahead.
For the latest forecasts and information regarding Winter Storm Lexi, which will bring snow to much of the Northeast urban corridor through Friday, click here.
After Lexi, portions of the East will see two additional chances of wintry precipitation, courtesy of a series of disturbances that could trigger the development of low-pressure systems that may then track near or off the East Coast. If it's cold enough, one of those systems could also bring light snow to the South.
Depending on the exact track and timing of each of these systems, snow is a possibility for parts of the Northeast and South at times over the next week.
(MORE: Winter Storm Central)
Hopefully, you enjoyed the mild and record-breaking temperatures earlier this week as a pattern change is ahead. The overall setup heading into next week will be for colder conditions across much of the East. A strong cold front will slide through the Plains and into the Mississippi Valley Sunday, bringing another blast of arctic air. This cold front is then expected to push off the East Coast by Tuesday morning.
(MORE: The Great Northeast Snow Meltdown)
Below-average temperatures will spread from the Upper Midwest into the South, with most areas seeing highs 10 to 20 degrees below average by Tuesday. High temperatures midweek will range from the single digits above zero to the 20s from the Upper Midwest into the Ohio Valley and temperatures will top out in the 30s and 40s for parts of the South.

Snowy Setup Into Next Week

There are currently significant differences in the forecast models particularly for the final two systems, which lowers the confidence for where and how much snow may fall.
Below we highlight each system and the possible outcomes.

Winter Storm Lexi: Mid-Atlantic, New England Friday

The cold front that brought rain to the South and Northeast midweek is stalling near the East Coast. Winter Storm Lexi i will develop develop and move northeast along that frontal boundary as colder temperatures filter in, setting the stage for a stripe of quick-hitting snow along the immediate mid-Atlantic coast into southern and eastern New England.
(MORE: Latest Forecast for Winter Storm Lexi)
Accumulating snowfall is likely across many of the Northeast big cities, including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. When all is said and done, some areas will pick up more than a half of foot of snow in a relatively short span of time.

Second Chance: Carolina Coast to New England Saturday Night into Monday

The next system is expected to form in the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Saturday and then strengthen quickly off the Southeast coast on Sunday. The track of this offshore low, however, remains very uncertain and will determine the ultimate impact of this on the East Coast.

Monday's Forecast

Key Points:

• Rain from this system is likely from Florida to eastern North Carolina beginning Saturday and may persist along the coast of the Carolinas into Sunday.
• There may be enough cold air across portions of eastern South Carolina and eastern North Carolina to bring some snow during the Saturday night into Sunday evening timeframe. However, there are forecast model differences regarding the track and speed of this system, which will make a big difference in whether or not rain will mix with or change to snow.
• Gusty winds are also possible in the eastern Carolinas on Sunday.
• As this low-pressure system continues to strengthen and move away from the East Coast it could come close enough to bring another round of snow to eastern New England on Monday. However, the uncertainty regarding this low's exact track remains high.

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

Third Chance: South to Northeast Monday Night into Wednesday

The last system has the potential to be the most impactful in terms of snowfall and wind. The cold front mentioned above will bring a chance of snow, in addition to the plummeting temperatures, from the Midwest to the South and into the Northeast.
Key Points:

• On Monday, light to moderate snow is possible over a broad swath of the from the Great Lakes to the Ohio Valley and Appalachians.
• By Monday night, the chance of snow showers will extend from the Great Lakes into parts of the Northeast and Southeast, possibly as far south as Atlanta.

Monday Night's Forecast

• Mainly light snow could linger on Tuesday from the Great Lakes into portions of the South, possibly as far south as northern Alabama. A mix of rain and snow is also possible in parts of the Southeast.
• There are also some indications that an area of low pressure could then develop and strengthen near or off the coast of New England. This may bring more significant snow, along with gusty winds, to parts of the Northeast, particularly New England, Tuesday into early Wednesday.
• There are forecast model differences with the track of this low pressure and it is very possible that it could develop too far offshore to bring impactful snow to the Northeast. Again, uncertainty with this system remains high.

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Tuesday's Forecast

(FORECASTS: Chicago | Atlanta | Washington D.C. | Boston)
Check back with weather.com for the latest updates on the potential for wintry conditions in the East over the next week.
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