Nor’easter, ‘blockbuster snowfall’ could be brewing for weekend
It could be out to sea, or it could be a “blockbuster” weekend snowstorm for the East Coast.
As of the afternoon of February 17, top computer models continue to analyze weather data to determine the direction and strength of the storm that is several days away from the East Coast. Currently the models disagree.
“While confidence in the storm remains fairly high, the timing, track and exact impacts of the weather conditions remain highly uncertain,” the National Weather Service said. online prediction discussion Released February 17 at 2:29 PM EST.
The latest European weather model shows “a more southerly track with little to no precipitation from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast,” the weather service said. But another model, the European AI model known as EC-AIFS, “was consistent in showing a pretty classic nor’easter pattern for the region.”
Grand slam ‘blockbuster blizzard?’
a forecaster, Weather Trader meteorologist Ryan MaueThe chances of a big northeaster with the potential for “blockbuster snowfall” are increasing, he said in an email to USA TODAY.
“A major storm will develop from the southeastern U.S. and exit the Mid-Atlantic and either (1) move eastward out to sea or (2) meander nicely off New England, resulting in snow along the I-95 corridor,” Maue said.
He said the models must reach an agreement by Feb. 18. “This system is on a 5 to 6 day window, so the predictability of the track should be pretty good until tomorrow.” [Feb. 18] — so we can either lock down the blizzard or send it out to sea,” he said, adding that he preferred the AI model showing the East Coast or the Easter blizzard.
A winter storm is likely in the Northeast next weekend.
AccuWeather’s forecast
Accordingly AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said “There’s a storm lurking on Sunday [Feb. 22] to monday [Feb. 23] “It has the potential to bring significant profits to a large area of the northeastern United States, including New York City, Boston and Philadelphia.”
“There is still a storm off the coast of British Columbia in the Eastern Pacific with the potential to dump more snow in parts of the Northeast this weekend. The situation is complex and is not certain to bring snow to major cities along the Interstate 95 corridor,” Sosnowski continued in an online forecast.
Stay tuned
weather service afternoon forecast “Confidence for coastal lows is increasing on Sunday and early Monday, and if this occurs, there could be coastal flooding potential with heavy rain and inland snowfall and strong nearshore winds from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.”
“Details regarding the strength and track of this low are still unclear, but it will have direct impacts on the extent and intensity of rainfall inland, so stay tuned for further updates on this event.”
Doyle Rice is USA TODAY’s national correspondent focusing on weather and climate.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Weekend snowstorm? Forecast says ‘blockbuster snowfall’ likely
