Winter storm alerts issued for millions in Northeast from powerful post-Christmas storm threat of snow, ice
FOX Forecast Center is forecasting that central New Jersey through New York City and into southern Connecticut will see a widespread 3 to 5 inches of snow.
Powerful snow and ice storm is expected to impact the Northeast on Friday
A quick but impactful snow and ice storm will blast through the Northeast this weekend which will most likely cause post-Christmas travel issues. The FOX Forecast Center is predicting a widespread 3 to 5 inches of snow from central New Jersey through New York City into southern Connecticut.
NEW YORK - The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Watch as a strong snow and ice storm heads towards the Northeast, impacting at least 15 million people.
The storm will start on Friday and last until mid-Saturday, affecting those that are in the Tri-State and Philadelphia area.
CHRISTMAS WEATHER OUTLOOK: MILLIONS TO SEE 'NICE' FORECAST WITH A TOUCH OF 'NAUGHTY' ACROSS NATION
The accumulating snow from the Catskills and Poconos into the Tri-State region will most likely cause a post-Christmas travel headache.
The FOX Forecast Center predicts most of the Northeast will see 3 to 5 inches of snow.
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
FOX Forecast Center is forecasting that central New Jersey through New York City and into southern Connecticut will see a widespread 3 to 5 inches of snow.
Locally higher amounts of 5 to 8 inches are possible across New York City into northern New Jersey and western Long Island. Some areas may receive an inch or more per hour overnight Friday, which is when the height of the storm is expected.
These conditions all depend on the exact track of the storm and how much cold air ends up sticking around.
Different cities across the country will see different impacts from the storm.
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
Before the storm slams the Northeast, it will move from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes early Friday morning, bringing a light glaze of ice to some areas.
AIRPORT GROUND STOPS VS. GROUND DELAYS: WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY HAPPEN?
A strong high pressure system over Quebec will also pose an ice threat to the Northeast, with one-tenth to a quarter inch of ice accretion possible across central Pennsylvania. Isolated ice amounts over a quarter of an inch could cause scattered power outages.
Ice accretion is possible in parts of the Northeast immediately after Christmas, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
Locations at risk for the highest ice accretion include State College in Pennsylvania through Fredrick, Maryland.
This could cause treacherous road conditions Friday afternoon and evening through early Saturday. But given the speed of the system, most areas will dry out by Saturday afternoon.
What is an ice storm?
Ice storms can have a much more crippling effect than a snowstorm.
Our FOX Forecast Center said you should also be on the lookout for another storm system that will likely impact the Northeast at the end of the weekend and into the start of New Year's Eve week. This fast-moving system will likely bring a mixture of rain and snow.
FOX Weather has got you covered with the latest and up-to-date information as we approach the holidays.