WEATHER: Confidence Growing This Will Be One Of The Biggest Winter Storms In Years
By Steven Strouss
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- We continue to monitor a major snow storm for Friday night into Saturday. Confidence is growing that this will be one of our biggest winter storms since 2011. The model runs this morning have been consistent. The GFS, EURO and the CMC (Canadian) all indicate the I-95 corridor will take the brunt of this storm with areas west of DC and western Virginia possibly receiving record amounts. We still need some time to fine-tune our forecast on exact snow amounts as this is dependent on the exact track and strength but it is looking likely that many locations will measure over a foot of snow by the time this storm wraps up Sunday morning.
WATCH: Justin Has The Latest On The Storm
As of this writing, here are my thoughts:
- Snow begins late Friday afternoon
- Height of the storm will be Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon, with potentially heavy snow rates of 1-2" per hour
- Total accumulations exceeding a foot are likely with higher amounts possible.
- The highest amounts are expected from I-95 on NW while lower amounts are expected at the coast due to possible mixing
- Sustained wind speeds of 25-40 mph are likely with higher gusts
- Wind Gusts may reach 50 mph especially along the coast
- There will be moderate to major coastal flooding
- There will be moderate Tidal flooding along the Delaware Bay
- Beach Erosion
- Power Outages Likely
- Heavy wet snow will stick to trees and power lines
- Hazardous/Dangerous Travel
- Precip may linger into early Sunday morning
- Blowing and Drifting Snow during and after the storm
The axis of the heaviest snow can shift and we have not yet issued a snow map. The storm is still a couple of days away and a track farther south (indicated by one of our models yesterday will limit amounts). A track farther west will bring in warmer air. Regardless, this will still be a major storm and the jackpot zone looks to be the Appalachians of Virginia and Maryland. The Philadelphia area will still get in on some very significant snowfall. I'm usually not one to hype but the way things are looking now, this storm deserves it. The main point is that EVERYONE should prepare for a major winter mess Friday night into Saturday. More details to come so stay with the CBS3 Eyewitness Weather Team.
