STATE COLLEGE – AccuWeather.com’s reports the Northeast will become the target of two potent storms through the weekend. Most areas each storm impacts will have to endure wind-driven, chilly rain. For parts of the interior, accumulating snow will create problems for residents and travelers.
Chilly rain currently spreading over the mid-Atlantic is evidence that the first storm is getting underway. The rain will reach southern New England this afternoon and will persist over both regions into Friday.
The rain will pour down heavily at times across the eastern mid-Atlantic into this evening. Localized flash flooding may occur, especially where fallen leaves clog drains.
Motorists throughout the mid-Atlantic and southern New England should also use caution where leaves are covering wet roads. Slick conditions will result.
Today’s potent storm is actually a strengthening nor’easter. As the system intensifies, northeast winds will buffet the mid-Atlantic and southern New England beaches through early Friday. Winds gusting to 50 mph could lead to coastal flooding, downed tree limbs and a few power outages.
Wet snow, not gusty winds, threatens to down trees and power lines across the higher terrain of western Maryland, Pennsylvania and southern New York today into Friday.
The snow will also create slippery travel and may force school officials to cancel some activities.
Between 2 and 4 inches of snow is expected to blanket places above 2,000 feet across central Pennsylvania and south-central New York through Friday. This includes Bradford, Pa.
More snow could add to these totals over the weekend as a new storm takes shape. Snow may even fall across the interior of New England and along the spine of the southern Appalachians. At the same time, wind-driven, chilly rain should return to the I-95 corridor.
Today’s snow comes one day after Expert Long Range Forecaster Joe Bastardi issued his winter forecast. Bastardi expects the core of the winter’s snow and cold will grip people from Washington, D.C., to Charlotte.