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Major winter storm takes aim at the Midwest, then Northeast this weekend

snowstorm forecast map

Summary

Heavy snow and winter storm conditions are expected in the Midwest, Tennessee Valley, Northeast, and parts of the South making for dangerous conditions.

Key Highlights

Threats: Snow, ice, wind, power outages, travel disruptions, coastal flooding

States affected: ND, SD, KY, TN, VA, KS, IA, IL, IN, NC, SC, GA, NE, OK, AR, MN, MO, WV, MD, DE, NJ, PA, NY, CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, ME, WI

When: Thursday, January 13 - Sunday, January 16

Another round of winter

Winter returns this week, as areas already hit by snow last week brace for another round. Snow is forecast to begin in the eastern Dakotas and western Minnesota on Thursday night then spread across the Midwest Friday. By Saturday night, snow will be falling as far south as Arkansas and Tennessee, including big cities like St. Louis and Memphis, and then spreading into the Southern Appalachians. By Sunday morning, western North Carolina and Virginia will be impacted. Ice will also be a major concern for these areas, creating dangerous driving conditions and power outages.

snow midwest timing new

In the Midwest, up to a foot of snow is expected in the Dakotas with an AccuWeather Local StormMaxTM of 20 inches. Significant travel disruptions, both by air and ground, are expected Friday and Saturday across the Midwest and Tennessee Valley. The system is expected to move northward into the mid-Atlantic and Northeast by Monday, bringing heavy rain, snow, high winds, and coastal flooding to big cities like New York City and Boston.

new winter storm gfx

As the storm turns northeast, it will strengthen and bring at least 6 inches of snow from the southern Appalachians to the interior Northeast. The heaviest snow is expected from the mountains of West Virginia through central Pennsylvania into New York state, Vermont, and New Hampshire where up to 18 inches is expected with an AccuWeather Local StormMaxTM of 40 inches. Along the busy I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Boston, precipitation is expected to start as snow late Sunday into Sunday night before changing to heavy rain.

NE snow

Businesses in the region need to keep a close eye on this system and should:

  • Expect business interruption due to power outages
  • Anticipate disruptions to ground logistics due to road closures and 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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