Concern Growing for Next Major Eastern Winter Storm

STATE COLLEGE, PA. — AccuWeather.com reports after being blasted by Wednesday, Jan. 28’s potent storm, the eastern third of the nation will likely have to deal with another major system early next week.
The storm is forecast to emerge from the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, Feb. 2 then race into the Northeast by Tuesday, Feb. 3. The exact track of the storm will determine which areas receive substantial snow, ice or heavy rain. There are currently three possible tracks that AccuWeather.com meteorologists are monitoring.
A track along or just west of the Appalachian Mountains would lead to heavy snow for the Ohio Valley and eastern Great Lakes, both of which were hit hard by the recent winter storm. Rain would not only soak the Eastern Seaboard but could also cause flooding problems.
The flood threat under this scenario would be the greatest over New England and the mid-Atlantic’s interior, where a deep snow pack covers the ground. The combination of the rain and melting snow could severely swell streams and rivers.
Strong onshore winds would blast the Northeast’s beaches, potentially leading to coastal flooding and pounding waves.
Snow will be in the forecast for the Northeast’s interior if the storm travels closer to the coastline. Rain would still spread over the major Interstate 95 cities.
A track just off the Northeast coast could mean substantial snow for the Interstate 95 corridor.
Regardless of the track, the storm will be fueled by two distinctly different air masses. A surge of warmth will precede the storm, while harsh cold and blustery winds will blast southward in its wake.
Damaging thunderstorms could erupt in the warm air over the Southeast. The farther west the storm tracks, the more places in the Southeast will be threatened by these thunderstorms.
The strong winds following the storm would severely blow and drift the storm’s snow. Dangerous blizzard conditions could cripple the eastern Great Lakes or a portion of the Northeast on Tuesday as the storm strengthens.
The cold air in the storm’s wake will plunge into the Deep South. Before the storm unleashes its fury on the Northeast, snow could impact travel as far south as northern parts of Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.
The cold air will combine with blustery winds to significantly chill the entire East as the storm departs Tuesday into Wednesday. AccuWeather.com RealFeel® temperatures will be bitterly colder than actual thermometer readings.
Residents all across the East should continue to check back with AccuWeather.com as the exact track of the storm becomes clearer.