As the nation recovers from a recent arctic blast, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a comprehensive map forecasting a winter storm poised to sweep across various states this upcoming weekend. The announcement, made on Friday, January 19, 2024, reveals the potential for frigid temperatures and substantial snowfall in several regions.
The NWS Weather Prediction Center, using its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, shared a map outlining the areas expected to face the brunt of the impending storm. A quick-hitting winter system is anticipated to bring periods of snow from the Lower Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlantic as the week progresses.
Meteorologist Brian Hurley, representing the NWS, reported that the storm is already depositing several inches of snow in states like Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Snow accumulation in these areas is predicted to range between 2 and 4 inches, with localized totals possibly reaching up to 6 inches. Regions accustomed to lake-effect snow, including Buffalo, New York, are expected to witness heavier snowfall.
The primary snowfall period in the Northeast is projected to conclude by Friday night, giving way to plummeting temperatures in the storm’s aftermath. Another map from the NWS Weather Prediction Center illustrates the storm’s expected progression across the country through Sunday.
The NWS warned of an additional arctic air outbreak forecasted across much of the central and eastern U.S. through the weekend. While not as frigid as the previous outbreak, hazardous temperatures and wind chills are expected across a significant portion of the nation. Temperatures in the central Plains states could drop as much as 30 degrees below normal, according to Brian Hurley.
Despite an expected rise in temperatures in the Northeast by midweek, residents are cautioned about dangerously cold wind chills. Wind chill values could reach as low as 20 degrees below zero in Tennessee, 25 degrees below zero in Missouri, and a bone-chilling 45 degrees below zero in Montana.
The winter storm’s impact is not limited to the Northeast, as the Pacific Northwest is also anticipated to experience snow accumulation. Higher elevations in central California may see up to 36 inches of snow through Sunday afternoon.
The NWS has issued warnings of heavy mountain snow and significant ice accumulations persisting through Friday in the Pacific Northwest. Last weekend’s storm systems covered nearly 60 percent of the U.S. in snow at one point, impacting even regions unaccustomed to significant snowfall, such as Nashville, Tennessee, which received 7.6 inches.
Parts of Texas experienced several inches of lake-effect snow, highlighting the widespread impact of these winter weather patterns. As the nation braces for another bout of wintry conditions, residents are preparing for potential disruptions, travel delays, and the challenges associated with bitter cold temperatures.
The NWS continues to closely monitor the storm’s trajectory and issue advisories to help communities navigate and prepare for the impending winter weather.
