“Small wobbles in a storm’s path can make a big difference,” said AccuWeather Director of Forecasting Operations Karl Erickson.
What is the difference between a subtropical storm and a nor’easter?
Although subtropical storms and nor’easters have similar effects, they are distinctly different types of storms.
The snow from late January’s devastating winter storm may finally be melting for many, but an ongoing nor’easter is expected to dump several inches of fresh snow on parts of the East Coast.
The storm’s path and strength are in flux as meteorologists closely monitor its approach, but the forecast for February 21 has become clearer. The Northeast is expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds from Feb. 22 to Feb. 23 from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast, the National Weather Service said.
The Bureau of Meteorology said blizzard warnings were in effect for some areas in the storm’s path, making travel dangerous and potentially causing power outages. The heaviest snow and effects of the heaviest storms will be felt along the coast, with up to 20 inches possible in some states, the National Weather Service said. Wind gusts of 40 to 70 mph are expected from coastal New Jersey to southern New England.
“This is going to be a dangerous and incredibly destructive winter storm,” said AccuWeather Director of Forecasting Operations Karl Erickson.
Here’s how much snow you can expect to see in your state.
new england
Areas from New Jersey to southeastern New England are especially likely to experience blizzard conditions, the National Weather Service said. The Boston Weather Service said snow totals could reach 10 to 20 inches in eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour are expected.
According to the Boston Weather Service, there is great uncertainty in snowfall totals from western Massachusetts to Connecticut, but inland areas could see 4 to 8 inches of snow and 8 to 12 inches closer to the coast.
AccuWeather predicted Boston could see between 8 and 12 inches.
mid atlantic
Major cities on the Mid-Atlantic coast, including New York City and Philadelphia, are expected to receive 6 to 10 inches of snow, according to AccuWeather. The National Weather Service in Philadelphia and Mount Holly, New Jersey, is estimating between 8 and 18 inches of rain for New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania, including the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said parts of Delaware were also at risk of a blizzard, with the possibility of seeing 12 to 18 inches of snow.
The Washington, D.C., area could see 1 to 3 inches, and Baltimore could see 3 to 6 inches, according to AccuWeather.
Map shows snow, winter weather forecast for your state
Total snowfall depends on the path of the storm
Forecasters said even small changes in the expected path of the storm could affect snowfall totals.
Erickson said the storm’s path will especially impact areas inland from the coast. As the center of the storm approaches the coast, heavy snow and winds are likely to spread further inland. If it stays offshore, there may be less snow inland, but coastal areas will still be affected.
“Small wobbles in a storm’s path can make a big difference,” Erickson said.
