Major winter storm bringing snow, ice to impact businesses in the Northeast

AccuWeather’s expert meteorologists are warning businesses about disruptions in operations from a significant storm that could bring accumulating snow and ice across the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast this weekend.

⇒ READ MORE: How you can prepare your business for winter storms

AccuWeather meteorologists predict a large snowfall event affecting a wide area, with the following expected snow accumulations:

• Up to 3 inches of snow from the Ohio Valley and Smoky Mountains north and east to Maine.
• Up to 6 inches of snow from the mountains of eastern West Virginia and western Virginia north through western Maryland, central and northeastern Pennsylvania, northwestern New Jersey, upstate New York, and central and southern New England.
• Up to 12 inches of snow over the higher ground of northeastern West Virginia, far western Maryland, and south-central Pennsylvania, as well as from northeastern Pennsylvania to central Massachusetts. Some pockets in this zone may receive more than a foot of snow.
  

The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ for this storm is 20 inches. Despite the significant snowfall, most of it is expected to occur over a 12-hour period, reducing the potential for extreme accumulation. 

⇒ READ MORE: Hidden costs of snowstorms: 6 ways businesses can optimize operations

In addition to snow, ice is a significant concern with this system. A substantial accumulation of ice is forecast for a portion of western Virginia near the Interstate 81 corridor. A larger area is at risk for at least some icing from western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee north to south-central Pennsylvania. Regardless of the amount of ice expected, travel can become very dangerous.

With the ice accumulations comes the possiblity of downed trees and powerlines. Businesses should be prepared for dangerous road conditions and extended power outages. 

Businesses in the path of this system should prepare for the following:

• Retail: Shovel and salt walkways, dry high-traffic areas inside near entrances, and keep all floors clear to help prevent falls and reduce liability
• Expect ground logistics disruption from snow-covered roads
• Business interruption due to power outages
• Prioritize cold weather concerns for outdoor workers

AccuWeather's Snow Warning Service™

Businesses using AccuWeather’s Snow Warning Service™ are the best prepared for winter storms, and their employees are safer because they receive the most advance notice and more accurate, pinpoint forecasts. Clients received the start and stop times and accumulation totals throughout the storm. Receiving more advance notice allows businesses to plan accordingly and adjust staffing levels. 

Protect your business and team members by making the best weather-impacted decisions with AccuWeather's Snow Warning Service, backed by forecasts and warnings with Superior Accuracy™. Businesses get location-specific forecasts and 24x7x365 consulting services for snow, ice, blizzards, and other winter-hazard events. 

AccuWeather's Snow Warning Service features include: 

• Precise weather event start and end times
• Total expected snow and ice accumulations
• Specific changeover times for snow, ice, and rain
• Hourly temperatures and wind conditions before, during, and after the storm
• Post-storm weather conditions, including verified precipitation amounts. 

Reduce liability, increase safety, and substantially reduce the risk of injury to your employees and customers with AccuWeather For Business. Contact us today for more about how we can help your business be better prepared and your people safer.

Want to learn more about AccuWeather's Snow Warning Service? Talk to an expert today.