Live updates: Major nor’easter brewing, will ‘bomb’ out along East Coast dumping more snow on South
The East Coast is bracing for a bomb cyclone that could drop heavy snow and whip up intense winds for millions from the Southeast to the Northeast.
A nor'easter is expected to develop along America's East Coast this weekend.
While thousands across the South are still without following last weekend's historic winter storm, forecasters warn time is running out to prepare for the next one. The FOX Forecast Center has been tracking a new potential threat for days and says this next storm could dump heavy snow and whip up intense winds for coastal communities along America's East Coast.
The latest forecast from FOX Weather shows this storm developing on Saturday just off the coast of the Carolinas. Places like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington in North Carolina may be looking at a significant snowfall, with Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia, South Carolina getting in on some snow, too.
FOX Weather is providing around-the-clock coverage as this new storm threatens millions along the Eastern Seaboard.
A powerful nor'easter is expected to rapidly intensify into a bomb cyclone this weekend.
You've probably heard the term "nor'easter," but few actually know it's meaning. It's strong low-pressure system that impacts the East Coast of the U.S., particularly the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. A storm is considered a nor’easter if its winds blow from the northeast off the Atlantic Ocean. If the winds are out of the east or southeast during the storm, then it’s not a nor’easter, but the impacts will likely be very similar. Although most people associate nor’easters with heavy snowstorms that move up the northeastern coast of the U.S. during the winter, not every nor’easter produces snow.
And then there's the "bomb cyclone." The term comes from the meteorological term "bombogenesis" or "explosive cyclogenesis." This happens when a storm system's central pressure drops at least 24 millibars within 24 hours. A low pressure system that achieves this mark becomes known as a "bomb cyclone." Meteorologists also use the phrase "bomb out" to describe the phenomenon.
This weekend's developing storm will be both - a nor'easter bomb cyclone. Low pressure is forecast to form off the coast of the Carolinas on Saturday and slide up the coast just offshore. It's orientation and track will produce powerful northeast winds at the coast (there's your nor'easter), which could lead to coastal erosion and big beach impacts. While it's moving north, it's also going to intensify very quickly, with the pressure dropping about 35 millibars within 24 hours (and there's your bomb cyclone).
For those living in the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, it's time to start thinking ahead for a possible storm that could dump heavy snow along the East Coast.
Upper-level pattern shows favorable conditions for more extreme blasts of cold air into the eastern half of America.
Here's one way to sum up the forecast for the eastern half of America: WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get).
Following years of mild winters, cold weather has come back with a vengeance in early 2026 and it shows no signs of letting up anytime soon. FOX Forecast Center meteorologists are keeping a close eye on the 'polar vortex' as we head into February. There are signs that it may weaken and wobble over the North Pole into mid-February, which would allow dangerously cold air to dive south into the U.S. Experts say chances are if you're cold now, you're going to be cold for weeks to come.
Forecast record low temperatures in Florida on Sunday morning.
Florida, get ready: it's about to get cold. Real cold.
The Sunshine State is about to experience some of the coldest weather in years. Arctic air is forecast to plunge south into the state over the weekend. Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing (32°F) by Sunday morning as far south as West Palm Beach, Florida.
Even Miami won't be able to escape this one. The FOX Forecast Center says the temperature could dip into the mid-30s on Sunday across Miami-Dade County.
More than 40 record lows are possible Sunday and Monday mornings, including Tallahassee, Tampa, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, and Miami. Miami's record low on Sunday is 36°F set in 1909 - and the current forecast calls for that record to be tied this weekend. As if that wasn't bad enough, strong winds will push wind chill values into the 20s on Sunday and Monday.
FOX Weather has now confirmed that at least 41 people across more than a dozen states have died as a result of last weekend's winter storm and the ongoing extreme cold.
This is a developing story, so check back for updates.
Freezing Fog Advisory in effect for portions of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Freezing fog has developed across parts of the South, dropping visibility for drivers in the area. The National Weather Service issued a Freezing Fog Advisory for portions of East Arkansas, North Mississippi, and West Tennessee where visibility could drop below one quarter of a mile at times this morning.
Even though the monster winter storm that crippled the South in devastating ice is long gone, the danger continues in communities hit hard by the storm. Dozens of cars and trucks are trapped on Interstates 22 and 55 in North Mississippi right now after wet roads turned to ice overnight.
The FOX Forecast Center says for a brief time on Tuesday afternoon, air temperatures climbed above freezing (>32°F) in the region. Ice leftover from the weekend storm began to melt thanks to the warmer temperature and the sun's rays beaming down on the area, leaving water dripping from trees and puddles forming on the roads. But trouble began brewing on Tuesday evening as the sun set on Mississippi.
Temperature comparison showing Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday evening temperatures in Mississippi.
Analysis from the FOX Forecast Center reveals air temperatures began to tumble after nightfall. By 6 p.m. CT, most spots were back below 32°F and the standing water that had melted just hours before began to refreeze. Roads turned to ice again, catching many drivers off guard since the process happens so quickly and without warning.
This dangerous thaw-freeze cycle is expected to happen again and again this week as the state struggles to recover from the storm. Meteorologists say drivers should exercise extreme caution if venturing out in the affected areas until the weather finally warms up - which may not happen for at least another week.
Right now, more than 380,000 customers across the South are still without power following last weekend's monster winter storm. Most of the outages are in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana where crippling amounts of ice paralyzed the region.
Latest power outages tracker showing outages across the South. (PowerOutage.com)
At the height of the storm on Sunday, more than 1,000,000 customers were without power. Sicne then, utility crews have been working around the clock across a half dozen states to restore service to the affected communities.
MDOT camera showing stranded vehicles on I-22 and Victoria Road near Olive Branch, Mississippi.
Road conditions went from bad to worse overnight in Mississippi as temperatures dropped back below freezing. After briefly warming warming up to near 37°F on Tuesday afternoon, temperatures tanked after the sun set and standing water on many roads turned to ice.
Right now, Interstate 22 is at a standstill. Mississippi Department of Transportation cameras show stranded vehicles lined up on the road. Some of the drivers have been stuck since before midnight. We're told a similar situation can been seen on Interstate 55 in the northern part of the state.
In an X post overnight, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said emergency responders were swarming the area. Drones and emergency rescue vehicles were being brought in to clear the stalled vehicles and assist those stranded on the road.
Governor Reeves is telling everyone to take all measures to avoid the still-dangerous conditions in his state.
FOX Weather meteorologists say America's next big weathermaker is just days away - another major winter storm - somewhere along the East Coast. This storm will be different from last weekend's in that a coastal low will develop off the U.S. East Coast, producing snow and strong winds near the coastline.
Right now, a pronounced dip in the jet stream is parked over the eastern part of the nation. This "trough" will serve multiple roles: including reinforcing cold air across the region and shifting the overall storm track farther to the south. As a strong upper-level disturbance moves along the jet stream late week, it is expected to produce an area of low pressure off the East Coast.
A big dip in the jet stream will help fuel a developing nor'easter this weekend off the East Coast.
The likelihood of a significant coastal storm is increasing, though uncertainty remains regarding exactly where the system may develop and the track it would ultimately take. If a storm does form, it would likely be considered a nor'easter - a powerful storm with strong northeasterly winds along the coast.
Forecasters say this storm has the potential to "bomb out," or rapidly intensify. This is in reference to bombogenesis, which is defined by at least a 24 millibar (pressure) drop in 24 hours. You'll often see this referred to as a "bomb cyclone" in various references and headlines.
Forecast models indicate this storm could go from 1008 millibars to 970 in just a single day. That pressure drop could mean nasty winds and erosion at the coast.
You can go back and see live updates from Tuesday's coverage.
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