Live updates: Major nor'easter to 'bomb out,' Carolinas in threat zone for heavy snow, intense wind
A powerful nor'easter is brewing along the East Coast and will take aim on the Carolinas, Virginia, and Mid-Atlantic states as it rapidly intensifies into a bomb cyclone.
A powerful nor'easter will dump heavy snow on millions along the East Coast this weekend.
Just days after a historic winter storm swept the nation, a new storm threatens to bury parts of the East Coast in nearly a foot of snow. The FOX Forecast Center says a powerful low pressure area will form just off the coast of the Carolinas by Saturday, spinning into a dangerous nor'easter as it tracks north along the coast. This coastal storm will drop heavy snow over the Carolinas, Virginia, and coastal sections of the Mid-Atlantic states on its journey north across the Atlantic. And the snow won't be the only threat. Dangerously strong winds are expected to lash the coast, kicking up huge waves, triggering coastal flooding, and eroding vulnerable beaches.
Millions of Americans are still digging out from last weekend's historic winter storm, so the prospect of another has many on alert. Fortunately for big cities like New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and Boston, this weekend's nor'easter will largely miss them.
Any meteorologist will tell you that the East Coast's biggest snowstorms come in the form of an old-fashioned nor'easter. Low pressure develops off the East Coast and charges north, spreading heavy snow to areas along the coast. This is how the heavily-populated Interstate 95 corridor gets its big snows.
So why won't this weekend's storm deliver blockbuster totals? Forecasters use something called the "benchmark" to help them determine whether or not the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic will get walloped by heavy snow. The benchmark is the so-called "40/70 benchmark," located at 40 degrees north latitude and 70 degrees west longitude. For reference, that's some 80 miles south of Massachusetts' Nantucket Island.
If cold air is sufficient over the Northeast, a low-pressure system tracking over this sweet spot has the potential to be a blockbuster snowstorm for parts of the region. Many of the major winter storms that impact Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington pass very close to the 40/70 benchmark during their journey northward off the East Coast. The famed "Blizzard of '96" was one such example that brought heavy snow to all those major cities.
Computer forecast models show this weekend's winter storm tracking farther east off the U.S. East Coast.
A difference of 50 miles to the left or right of that point can have a huge implication on the forecast, and that's why uncertainty can be high even a day or two before the winter storm's arrival. The FOX Forecast Center says computer forecast models have consistently indicated this upcoming weekend's center of pressure will stay east of the benchmark, which means little to snow along I-95. That's certainly welcome news to the thousands of workers still clearing streets of snow and ice across the region.
Light snow (possibly an inch) is still expected from near Boston to New York to Washington, but the storm's worst impacts will be seen and felt across the Carolinas where the low will initially form closer to the coast.
Thousands are still without power across the South following last weekend's historic winter storm. Crippling ice coated portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, downing trees and power lines and paralyzing the region. Restoration efforts have been hampered by the ongoing extreme cold and icy conditions throughout the region.
Latest power outage tracker showing county-by-county outages in the Deep South. (PowerOutage.com)
Hundreds of lineman and crews from across the South have answered the call to help get the lights back on in the most hard-hit areas. Data from PowerOutage.com shows remarkable improvement in the past 24 hours, but nearly 300,000 customers still don't have electricity this morning. Crews are working around the clock to help repair damaged power poles and transmission lines in multiple states.
Latest snow forecast from FOX Weather showing more than a half foot of snow predicted to fall across the Carolinas.
The FOX Forecast Center says a dangerous nor'easter will slam the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic with heavy snow starting as early as Friday. Significant snow is predicted to fall along the Piedmont to the coast, and could disrupt travel across the region. Charlotte, North Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina are expected to see 5-8 inches of snow from this potent storm, while the Outer Banks of North Carolina could get nearly a foot of snow.
Norfolk, Virginia and the Virginia Beach area could also be looking at more than a half foot of snow this weekend. Farther south, light snow is expected across North Georgia and as far south as Charleston, South Carolina.
Winter Storm Watches are now in effect for six states ahead of this weekend's major nor'easter.
The first weather winter alerts for the upcoming nor'easter were just issued by the National Weather Service. Winter Storm Watches now cover most of North and South Carolina, southern Virginia, part of Delaware, eastern Tennessee, and parts of North Georgia. The watches go into effect on Friday and end Sunday. NWS warns strong winds and the weight of snow on trees may down power lines and could cause power outages. Travel may become dangerous or even impossible with widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure possible.
Read more on what a Winter Storm Watch is and means for you.
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