Millions of Americans enduring a long winter are now preparing for three incoming storms, which are expected to bring snow and dangerously icy conditions across 25 states, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, starting this weekend.
Each storm has its own dynamics, illustrating the current clash between cold air flowing south from Canada and warm air rising from the Gulf of Mexico as we transition into March.
This atmospheric complexity leaves some uncertainty about how much snow and ice each region will actually receive. However, even if the higher projections materialize, these systems are not anticipated to be as severe as the recent historic Winter Storm Hernando that impacted I-95.
Snow is set to begin accumulating early Saturday, starting at the border of the cold air mass in the Dakotas and Montana. By Saturday evening, the snow will extend into the Great Lakes and the upper Midwest, with forecasts suggesting that it will accumulate less than three inches in many areas.
Snow and cold air are expected to move into the interior Northeast on Sunday morning, with cities like Pittsburgh, Albany, and Manchester likely to receive the highest snowfall totals. New York City, Boston, and Providence will also see snow, although the amount might be less than an inch in those urban centers.
Once the first storm subsides in the Northeast, a second storm will develop behind a shifting cold front on Sunday night. Stronger southerly winds from the Gulf are expected to push warm, moist air northward, creating a phenomenon known as “overrunning.”
The precise location of the snow line is still uncertain, which could lead to dangerous travel conditions due to potential ice and freezing rain in the region. The area of greatest concern for icing currently stretches along Interstate 70 into the Ohio River Valley.
Forecast models indicate that major cities like Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and possibly even New York City could see 3 to 5 inches of snow by Monday, although a lower scenario predicts 1 to 3 inches mixed with ice and rain.
Looking ahead, a third winter storm is projected to hit on Tuesday, as warm air moves north, wedged between an Arctic high pressure system retreating from the East Coast and a low-pressure system covering the plains.
This system is expected to primarily bring rain, aiding in the melting of existing snow. Still, frigid air will likely lead to snow and ice in isolated pockets, particularly in the Northeast. The FOX Prediction Center suggests that snow accumulations will probably be concentrated north of Interstate 90, and Pennsylvania might face significant icing due to subzero temperatures settling in the valleys.
