Winter Returns This Weekend
A powerful storm will take shape Friday night, bringing snow to parts of the Mississippi and Tennessee River valleys and strong-to-severe thunderstorms from northern Florida to North Carolina. But it's the winds that will likely be a widespread threat with this system. AccuWeather for Business meteorologists are forecasting powerful wind gusts of 40-60 mph from northern Florida to Maine on Saturday, with the strongest gusts expected in North Carolina and in southern New England, where wind gusts may reach 70-90 mph, knocking out power to the area businesses and residents. Coastal flooding is also expected in those areas.
Snow will also be a factor Saturday from the Ohio Valley through northern New England. The heaviest snow will fall in southwestern Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England. More than a foot of snow is forecast for part of Maine into parts of Quebec, with the AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 24 inches. Along the coast, the biggest concern is a rapid freeze-up as the cold air rushes in. This can lead to slippery conditions in many of the major cities.
Travel from the Mississippi Valley to northern New York could be treacherous Saturday as a wide swath of accumulating snow is expected. While the I-95 corridor may remain mostly rain, a flash freeze is expected to occur Saturday afternoon and night, which will likely freeze wet roads.
Businesses in the area need to keep a close eye on this system and should:
- Expect business interruption due to power outages
- Disruptions to ground logistics due to road closures and icy/snow-covered roads
- Prioritize cold weather concerns for outdoor workers
- Ensure all employees and visitors on-site have a way to be notified of severe weather
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