The winter storm system is anticipated to convey freezing rain and heavy snow all alongside the East Coast over the weekend.

Weather Prediction Center/NOAA

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Weather Prediction Center/NOAA

The winter storm system is anticipated to convey freezing rain and heavy snow all alongside the East Coast over the weekend.

Weather Prediction Center/NOAA

Snow, sleet and freezing rain are forecast to strike the East Coast on the primary weekend of the brand new yr — posing the chance of slippery roads, energy outages and downed timber in a lot of states, in response to the National Weather Service.

Starting Saturday evening, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts are anticipated to see the heaviest snowfall from the winter storm system, with as much as a foot of snow in some areas. Parts of New York and New Jersey may even accumulate just a few inches of moist snow because the area faces bouts of snowfall and rain all through the weekend.

Further south, Virginia and North Carolina will obtain a mixture of snow and sleet after midnight on Saturday. The wintry combine is anticipated to show into freezing rain, which may trigger hazardous highway situations.

Freezing rain threatens energy outages and dangerous journey in Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia

Freezing rain has been the supply of a number of the “most disastrous winter weather storms,” in response to the NWS. It happens when snowflakes fall by way of a heat layer of air after which a chilly batch of air. The whiplash in temperatures causes water droplets to immediately freeze upon contact with a floor, whether or not it is the bottom, timber or energy traces.

Parts of north central and northeast Georgia are anticipated to see freezing rain on Saturday, which can result in hazardous highway situations and energy outages, forecasters say.

Similar icy situations are sure for components of North Carolina, the place a mixture of snow and sleet will start to fall Friday and switch into freezing rain early Saturday. The NWS issued a winter storm warning for Transylvania, Henderson, Rutherford Mountains and Polk Mountains counties from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday native time.

“Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible,” the NWS warned.

The wintry combine might be much more important in Virginia, in areas west of Interstate 95 together with Roanoke to the Shenandoah Valley.

Snow and sleet are forecast to build up between 1 to three inches in Augusta and Nelson counties in northern and central Virginia. A winter storm warning is in impact in these areas from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday native time. Forecasters advise commuters to maintain additional meals, water and a flashlight of their car in case of an emergency. They additionally warn of icy and slippery sidewalks.

Cities round Washington, D.C., together with Alexandria and Arlington are anticipated to see minimal snow.

In Maryland, the potential winter storm is expected to pack 3 to six inches of snow and sleet in Washington, Frederick and Carroll counties.

Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York anticipated to see heavy, moist snow

The bulk of the winter storm system will cross by way of Pennsylvania beginning late morning to early afternoon Saturday, in response to Sonya Lewis, a NWS meteorologist in State College, Pa.

Central and northeastern components of the state are forecast to obtain the heaviest snowfall over the weekend, with as much as 5 to six inches of snow. The whole could also be extra relying on snow showers main as much as and after the storm.

Pittsburg might see 1 to three inches of snow. While Philadelphia is projected to see little to none, Lewis mentioned areas northwest of Philadelphia like Allentown and Reading might see upwards of two to 4 inches.

Meanwhile, components of northeastern New Jersey, the decrease Hudson Valley in New York and southern Connecticut are slated to see 6 to eight inches of moist snow. Forecasters anticipate snow to fall beginning Saturday night and thru Sunday evening, with temporary bouts of rain. The NWS warned of minor coastal flooding alongside the southern and japanese bays of Long Island.

Rhode Island and Massachusetts brace for flash freeze

Forecasters anticipate as much as a foot of snow and wind gusts as excessive as 40 miles per hour this weekend in northern Rhode Island in addition to central, japanese, and western Massachusetts.

The NWS said on Friday there’s nonetheless uncertainty within the precise observe and depth of the storm, however warned of journey problems and energy outages.

There can be an opportunity of a flash freeze on Sunday in Rhode Island and japanese Massachusetts, together with Providence and Boston — posing the chance of moist or snowy roads turning into ice and turning into harmful to drive. The frosty situations are anticipated to enhance beginning Monday.

Heavy snow totaling greater than 6 inches can be forecast for southwest Maine and components of central and southern New Hampshire. In Vermont, 6 to eight inches of snow are forecast to pile up in Rutland and Windsor counties. The NWS mentioned snowfall charges might exceed an inch per hour Sunday morning.