Snow is making its way into the Carolinas and Virginia as a significant winter storm sweeps through the Southeast, bringing chilling temperatures, strong winds, and possibly blizzard conditions over the weekend.
A coastal low developed off the Carolinas and quickly intensified throughout the day, drawing moisture northward while trapping cold air locally.
By Saturday evening, heavy snow is expected to blanket the Carolinas and Virginia, with totals likely reaching 5 to 8 inches or even more by the weekend’s end.
A winter weather warning is in effect from southern Georgia all the way up to Maryland through Sunday.
Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina have each declared states of emergency as they gear up for this nor’easter.
Officials are advising residents to stay indoors and avoid travel this weekend.
“Fewer vehicles on the road allows GDOT crews to effectively treat our roads, ensuring everyone’s safety this weekend,” noted Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Josh Lamb.
The FOX Prediction Center is keeping a close eye on the storm, which may experience what’s termed a “bombshell,” referring to a swift drop in central pressure.
This phenomenon can lead to rapid winds and strong gusts, particularly along the coast.
Wind warnings stretch from North Carolina to Virginia, with gusts potentially reaching 50 to 70 mph.
“When you view this in the context of a tropical system, it’s similar to a tropical winter storm,” explained FOX Weather meteorologist Michael Estim.
The combination of high winds, quick snowfall, and low visibility could create blizzard-like conditions, especially along the Outer Banks.
Concerns about coastal flooding and erosion have also arisen with this storm system.
Winter Storm Impacts on Northeast
The storm’s effects are expected to move into the Northeast and New England by Sunday as a low-pressure area forms and shifts northward.
While the FOX Prediction Center cautions that the storm’s exact trajectory remains somewhat unclear, many forecasting models suggest that snow will remain offshore until it affects Massachusetts and southern New England.
A more severe scenario could see moderate to heavy snowfall from eastern Massachusetts to Maine, although it’s also possible that much of the snow stays offshore, resulting in minimal inland accumulation.
The highest likelihood of significant impacts appears to be in southeastern Massachusetts, particularly the Cape and Islands.
Even if the storm veers slightly offshore, the region could still face snow, high winds, and perilous ocean conditions.
