If the storm reaches its maximum strength, it has the potential to bring the largest snowfall of the winter for millions of Americans.
A snowstorm is forecasted to bring significant disruptions next week across the southern Plains and the Interstate 95 corridor in the Northeast, according to meteorologists at AccuWeather. If the storm reaches its maximum potential, it has the potential to bring the largest snowfall of the winter season for millions of Americans.
“The imminent snowstorm is expected to have two significant elements,” stated AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathon Porter. “These elements include a surge of frigid Arctic air and the fact that it will be the final storm in a series of February storms, which are typically the most intense.”
Next week, a blast of frigid air from northern Canada will sweep across the Plains, Midwest, and Northeast, bringing a significant drop in temperatures. This cold spell could even rival some of the coldest temperatures witnessed so far this winter.
An Arctic air outbreak is expected to bring about lake-effect snow at the beginning of the upcoming week.
A powerful storm brewing in the jet stream level of the atmosphere over the Midwest will play a crucial role in the upcoming storm system. If this storm combines forces with another storm making its way from the Northwest to the southern Plains early next week, it could result in heavy snowfall in the Eastern region. Meteorologists call this phenomenon “phasing,” and when it happens, it often leads to the development of major storms in the Northeast, bringing strong winds and significant precipitation, resembling a nor’easter.
A stripe of light to moderate snow is expected to stretch from the southern Plains to a portion of the Atlantic coast, even if both storms stay separate. The timing and progression of the snow will be determined by the location where the second storm redevelops after crossing the Rockies.
According to Porter, there are two primary regions where a significant amount of snow, potentially 6 inches or more, is expected to accumulate. One area encompasses parts of Kansas and Oklahoma, where the snow is expected to be dry and powdery. The other region extends from the central Appalachians to coastal areas of the mid-Atlantic and New England, where ample moisture from the Gulf and Atlantic will be available.
If the storm weakens, it could potentially shift to a more southern track. This could result in areas as far south as portions of the I-20 corridor in the Southern states experiencing some snow or a wintry mix followed by freezing temperatures.
The upcoming storm has the potential to match the intensity of previous snowfalls in parts of Oklahoma and Kansas from early to mid-January.
After the storm moves away from the U.S. East coast, there is a possibility of experiencing strong winds and bitter cold in the Great Lakes and Northeast regions later next week. This weather pattern could hinder the expected moderation of daytime temperatures, which is typically influenced by the strong February sunshine in the Central and Southeast states.