Uncertain Winter Storm Could Bring Major Snow to Northeast This Weekend — or Miss Entirely

A developing storm off the East Coast could bring anything from light snow to a major winter storm this weekend — or barely affect the region at all.

Meteorologists say computer models agree a storm will begin forming off the mid-Atlantic coast Sunday and could intensify into a powerful system by Monday. However, forecasts still vary widely on the storm’s track, and even a shift of 100 to 200 miles could dramatically change the outcome for major cities along the Northeast corridor.

The most likely scenario right now is a glancing blow. In that case, the storm would stay far enough offshore to prevent widespread severe impacts but could still bring light to moderate snow and gusty winds from southern New England to the mid-Atlantic. Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, could see travel disruptions, along with possible coastal flooding in some areas.

A less likely but still possible scenario involves a major snowstorm. If the system tracks closer to the coast, heavy snow and strong winds could create dangerous travel conditions across a broad stretch of the Northeast from Washington to Boston. Coastal flooding and beach erosion would also become more likely.

The least likely scenario has the storm moving so far offshore that it causes little to no impact. Some snow or rain could still occur from a separate disturbance, but effects would be minimal.

Forecasters say this kind of uncertainty is typical several days before a potential winter storm forms. Confidence in the storm’s track and strength should improve over the next couple of days.

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