A powerful winter storm is on its way to the Northeast, bringing a mix of snow, ice, rain, and strong wind gusts reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. This complex storm system is expected to create hazardous travel conditions and there is also a possibility of power outages in the affected areas.
According to the National Weather Service, the system is expected to arrive in the early afternoon on Saturday, Feb. 15, and continue through the overnight into Sunday, Feb. 16.
Late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, the precipitation will transition from snow to freezing rain before eventually turning into rain, except for the northernmost regions which will experience a mix of wintry precipitation.
The first image above displays darker shades of pink indicating areas with the highest predicted icing.
According to AccuWeather meteorologists, residents in northern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Hudson Valley, and much of New England can expect 1 to 3 inches of snow. Inland areas are predicted to receive a slightly higher accumulation of 4 to 6 inches.
The latest projections for snowfall can be seen in the second image above.
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- 1 to 3 inches – Lightest shade of blue
- 3 to 6 inches – Medium shade of blue
- 6 to 12 inches – Darkest shade of blue
Once the storm arrives, expect an increase in wind speeds ranging from 20 to 30 mph. On Sunday, certain areas will experience gusts reaching between 50 to 60 mph.
The National Weather Service warns that trees and power lines may be knocked down by strong winds, resulting in power outages. Travel, particularly for high profile vehicles, may be challenging.
The rain is expected to decrease gradually and turn into showers as we move from the southern regions to the northern areas on Sunday.
Monday, Feb. 17 is expected to be cold with abundant sunshine as a surge of Arctic air moves in, causing frigid conditions. Additionally, there is a chance of another winter storm later in the week.