- A winter storm will bring snow, ice, rain and wind to the east this weekend.
- Parts of southern and central New England will see significant snow accumulations and strong winds.
- Areas farther south should see the most significant snow north and west of the I-95 corridor.
- Accumulating snow can make travel dangerous in the southern Appalachians.
Winter Storm Ember will be the first snowstorm in parts of the East. Hazardous travel conditions and some power outages are possible this weekend due to heavy snow, ice, rain and wind.
(Further: How Winter Storms Are Named)
Here's where the storm is right now: Ember brings snow and rain to the central and southern plains. Below is a look at the latest radar showing where this system is currently producing precipitation. Snowfall in these areas is generally light to moderate
(15-Minute Details: For even more granular weather data tracking in your area, view our 15-Minute Details Forecast Premium Pro Experience.)
Peak impacts east of Ember will be over the weekend: A low pressure system will strengthen from the Deep South northward up the East Coast this weekend. The storm is likely to become a nor'easter, meaning winds will blow from the northeast over parts of the eastern seaboard.
(Further: Fast facts about nor'easters)
The low's track will allow the storm to produce a mixture of snow, rain and sleet and some snow in areas where its moisture interacts with cold air north and west of the Ohio Valley and parts of the Appalachians. Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Saturday and Saturday night.
There will be strong winds in some areas. The combination of heavy, wet snow and strong winds will lead to some power outages and tree damage, especially from northeastern Pennsylvania to much of southern and central New England.
Ember will begin moving out of the northeast late Sunday, but snow, rain and wind will continue throughout the day.
The general timing of the storm can be seen in the next three maps.
(Further: What to know about snow forecast maps on social media)
Saturday forecast
(Shades of green depict areas where rain is expected. Areas shaded in blue are expected to see snow. Areas shaded purple are expected to see rain or snow. Pink is expected to have snow or freezing rain (snow).)
Saturday night forecast
(Shades of green depict areas where rain is expected. Areas shaded in blue are expected to see snow. Areas shaded purple are expected to see rain or snow. Pink is expected to have snow or freezing rain (snow).)
Sunday forecast
(Shades of green depict areas where rain is expected. Areas shaded in blue are expected to see snow. Areas shaded purple are expected to see rain or snow. Pink is expected to have snow or freezing rain (snow).)
Here's a look at how much snow and ice to expect: The forecast is still somewhat uncertain as questions linger about the storm's exact track, intensity and availability of cold air. So, keep in mind that the forecast below is subject to change.
Right now, forecasters are predicting that some areas near the coast will not have much cold air, meaning areas from Washington, DC, to New York City could see a mix of rain and snow or all rain. Our latest forecast below shows the best chance for significant snow (5 or more inches) north and west of this section of the Interstate 95 corridor in central and northeastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey and parts of New York's Hudson Valley.
Areas of southern and central New England, including areas near Interstate 95, have the highest chance of significant snowfall (5 or more inches). That includes parts of the Boston, Providence and Hartford metro areas.
(Further: 6 things you need to know about snow forecasts)
Freezing rain will be most noticeable in adjacent areas of the southern and central Appalachians and Piedmont from western North Carolina to West Virginia.
NOAA's probability is 0.10″ or more of snow accumulation
(Ice masses of 0.10 inches or less can make travel more dangerous but usually do not damage trees and power lines.)
Here's what you need to be prepared: Poor travel conditions will have the storm's main impact in the east this weekend. It is best to avoid or delay travel in areas expecting snow and ice.
(Further: How to drive in snow)
Chris Doles He began his career at The Weather Channel in the early 2000s and has been a senior meteorologist at weather.com for more than 10 years.
The Meteorological Institute's primary journalistic mission is to report on weather news, the environment and the importance of science in our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
