Winter is far from over in the U.S. Despite a brief warmup, the National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of severe weather across parts of the country beginning Sunday, Feb. 22, and lasting through Monday night, Feb. 23.
The NWS has issued winter storm warnings and watches for large sections of the Northeast, Midwest, and nearby regions. Forecasters caution that a “rapidly strengthening” system could dump as much as 3 feet of snow in some areas.
Up to 3 Feet of Snow Expected in the Northeast
NWS projections now show up to 36 inches of snow across New England, higher totals than previously forecast. According to the Weather Prediction Center, “Power Outages are expected across parts of the region due to the combination of heavy, wet snow and strong winds lasting into Monday.”
In another update posted on official NWS platforms, meteorologists said, “An approaching storm will bring rain and high elevation snow to Pacific Northwest through the weekend. Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of the Southeast today into this evening. An impactful winter storm is forecast to bring heavy snow and high winds to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Sunday into Monday.”
Forecasters at AccuWeather also warned of significant impacts, stating, “Major nor’easter with blizzard conditions to rage from NYC to Boston and Delaware. A rapidly strengthening storm will bring major travel disruptions to much of the northeastern United States from Sunday to Monday as snow is forecast to pile up with blizzard conditions in coastal areas.”
They added that 12 to 18 inches of snow and 50 mph winds are likely near the coast from New Jersey and Long Island, New York, through coastal Delaware and Maryland and into southeastern New England. Their “Local StormMax” projection reaches 36 inches by Monday night.
Heavy Snow Could Leave Motorists Stranded
AccuWeather meteorologists said a rapidly intensifying nor’easter is expected to deliver the heaviest snow across parts of the Northeast and cities along the Interstate 95 corridor through Sunday.
Long Island and Cape Cod could receive an additional 12 to 18 inches of snow. Boston is forecast to see 6 to 10 inches, while New York City and Philadelphia could receive 3 to 6 inches. The storm is expected to disrupt travel on highways, rail lines, and at airports along its path. AccuWeather estimates more than 1,000 flight cancellations Sunday and another 1,500 on Monday.
Once the storm clears, above-average temperatures are projected across much of the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The first day of spring arrives March 20 at 10:46 a.m. ET.
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