Long-Track Winter Storm Could Bring Southern Snow and Ice Next Week (FORECAST)

Chris Dolce
Published: February 13,2015



 
A hyperactive weather pattern has been spawning major winter storms at a frantic pace since late January. New England has been hit the hardest, but the Midwest has also seen its share of significant snow.
(WINTER STORM RECAPS: Juno | Kari | Linus | Marcus)
Next week, yet another potential significant winter storm could affect several regions: the Rockies to the Southern Plains, Mid-South to the Southeast. This long-track winter storm is several days away. Below is a look at the cities that need to monitor this situation closely into the weekend.

Forecast: Snow, Ice, Rain and Severe Storms Ahead

There will likely be changes to the forecast since this storm is still several days away. Check back through the weekend for updates as we continue to refine the forecast and provide more detailed information. For the current forecast, click the city links below or go to this link to get the forecast in your local city.
Forecast Overview
- Timing: Monday through Wednesday
- Accumulating snow is possible in a swath either side or along I-40 from New Mexico to North Carolina.
- Possible ice accumulations just south of the snow, and along or either side of the I-85 corridor in the Carolinas.
- The exact locations of these swaths of snow and ice will depend on the track of the storm, which will dictate where the cold air and moisture overlap.
- Snow, wintry mix and rain are possible in the Northeast depending on the track of the coastal low. A track just off the coast would increase the chance of seeing mainly snow. A more inland or coastal low track could cause locations along I-95 to see a wintry mix or even rain while interior Northeast locations still see snow. However, as of Friday evening it looks like the low may track far enough east to bring limited impacts.
- Thunderstorms are likely near the Gulf Coast on both Monday and Tuesday, with a few isolated thunderstorms possible.
Monday: Precipitation from this storm begins to start Sunday night, but ramps up Monday and Monday night in two distinct areas. Snow is likely to move southward through the Rockies and the adjacent Front Range, including the Denver metro area. Snow and some ice will also begin to impact locations along or on either side of the I-40 corridor from New Mexico eastward to North Carolina by Monday night. Rain will soak locations near the Gulf Coast. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are also possible near the Gulf Coast.
- Cities that could be impacted with accumulating snow or ice through Monday night include: Denver; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Amarillo, Texas; Memphis; Little Rock, Arkansas; Nashville, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina
Tuesday: A swath of snow and ice will be ongoing from New Mexico to Arkansas as well as from northern Georgia to southern Virginia. Icy conditions could exist along I-85 in the Carolinas. Heavy rain and thunderstorms, a few severe, are possible from southern Texas along the Gulf Coast and into southern South Carolina.
- Citiest that could be impacted with accumulating snow or ice Tuesday into Tuesday night include: Santa Fe, New Mexico; Amarillo, Texas; Oklahoma City; Raleigh, North Carolina
Wednesday: Low pressure intensifies and moves northward near the East Coast, however the timing and track are somewhat uncertain. Snow is possible for the Northeast, however, there is also the chance that the low will track far enough east to bring little to no precipitation to the Northeast.
- Cities that could be impacted with accumulating snow or ice Tuesday night and into Wednesday include: Washington, D.C.; New York City; Boston

Storm Setup

Setup for next week's winter storm.

The setup for this storm features two cold areas of high pressure: one plunging southward into the Plains and another over the Northeast.
At the same time, upper-level energy will dive southward through the western United States and combine with an area of low pressure in the upper atmosphere that will get pulled eastward away from Baja California. As this robust energy slides across the Deep South, it will spawn low pressure near the surface of the earth, pulling moisture from the Gulf of Mexico into the cold air already in place.
Mix these ingredients together and you have the perfect recipe for a long swath of snow and ice affecting millions of people.

PHOTOS: Winter Storm Marcus (February 2015)