Winter Storm Warnings issued as coastal storm eyes Northeast with snow, flooding rain for Saturday
The rainy side of this weekend's storm could lead to flooding concerns along the I-95 corridor in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. A widespread 1-3 inches of rain is expected from southern and southeastern New England through eastern North Carolina.
Coastal storm brings I-95 flood threat, heavy New England snow
Although it is the first weekend of spring, it won't feel like it across parts of the Northeast this weekend as a storm system is expected to bring a combination of heavy rain, snow and potentially some ice.
NEW YORK – If you have outdoor activities planned for the first Saturday of spring in the Northeast, it may be wise to consider moving them indoors because there is the potential for plowable snow and heavy rain across the region.
"This one is going to be big," FOX Weather Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen said. "It's going to roll up the Eastern Seaboard over the weekend. It could be a washout for you on Saturday."
"Look at that heavy rain coming up from the south, really overrunning the I-95 corridor," said FOX Weather Winter Storm Specialist Tom Niziol. "The snow is going to be confined to interior and northern New England. There's going to be enough cold air in place there to put down several inches, possibly as much as a foot of snow up through northern Maine. Places like Millinocket, that confirmed a Blizzard Warning just (Thursday), is going to get hit with a second round."
Winter Storm Warnings are among alerts in effect through late Saturday night from northern portions of New York into Vermont, New Hampshire and western Maine.
WINTER STORM WARNING CRITERIA FOR U.S. REVAMPED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
The FOX Forecast Center said the snow will overspread the region from west to east before winding down Saturday night.
Widespread totals over 6 inches are likely in the areas under winter weather alerts, with totals over a foot expected in the mountains and foothills.
WHEN CAN YOU EXPECT THE LAST SNOW OF THE SEASON?
Soaker Saturday expected in the I-95 corridor
Farther south, heavy rain is expected along the Interstate 95 corridor from Boston through New York City and Philadelphia into Washington.
The rainy side of this weekend's storm could lead to flooding concerns along the I-95 corridor in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast as atmospheric moisture levels rise to 200-300% above average for this time of year.
Flood Watches have been issued from Washington D.C. all the way up to Bar Harbor, Maine, including New York City and Boston, along the I-95 corridor.
NOAA's Weather Prediction Center has highlighted portions of coastal southern New England, Long Island in New York, New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula for a Level 2 out of 4 risk of flash flooding on Saturday.
A widespread 1-3 inches of rain is expected from southern and southeastern New England along the Atlantic coastal areas through eastern North Carolina, with isolated areas receiving more than 3 inches along the immediate coastline.
The forecast dramatically improves for Sunday as the storm pushes off the East Coast Saturday night, with mostly sunny skies expected across the region.