A relentless series of winter storms is set to impact more than 20 states across the United States, bringing heavy snow, ice, and hazardous travel conditions through the remainder of February. AccuWeather meteorologists are warning of widespread disruptions to daily life, including dangerous commutes, school closures, and potential damage to infrastructure.
“This is the stormiest stretch of the winter with a February frenzy of storms every few days in many places,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter. “It’s been a disruptive start to February, and this onslaught of winter storms is expected to stick around for most of the month.”
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The first storm in this series is set to impact the northern Plains, Great Lakes, and Northeast from Friday night through Sunday. This storm will bring accumulating snow, with plowable amounts of 3 inches or more expected from the Dakotas to Maine. Some areas could see up to 18 inches of snow.
The Northeast, already hit by winter weather earlier this week, can expect significant snowfall, particularly in New York and Boston. Boston could see its biggest snowstorm of the season so far, with 4-8 inches predicted.
Areas south of the storm’s track, from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic, will face icy conditions, with the potential for significant ice accumulation in parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania. This poses a risk of power outages and damage to trees and power lines.
AccuWeather forecasts another winter storm to develop on Monday, bringing a large swath of snow from the central Plains to New England. This storm has the potential to be more intense and widespread than the weekend storm, with significant snow accumulations possible in major cities like Boston and New York City.
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“Next week’s winter storm stands out from the rest,” Porter explained. “It has the potential to be more intense and widespread, with a fresh supply of cold enough air to support significant and plowable snow across parts of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.”
A fourth winter storm could impact the Northeast later next week, with the potential for heavy snow in New England. The stormy pattern is expected to continue through the end of February, with additional storms possible between February 16-18 and again in the final 10 days of the month.
AccuWeather predicts that some areas, particularly from interior New York to parts of New England, could see 2-3 feet of cumulative snowfall over the next two weeks.
While these storms will undoubtedly cause disruptions, they also offer some benefits. The rain and snow will help alleviate drought conditions in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and the heavy snowpack in California will contribute to the state’s water supply. However, heavy rainfall in Southern California also carries the risk of mudslides and debris flows in areas recently affected by wildfires.
AccuWeather’s long-range forecast predicts that drought conditions will likely expand across the Southwest this spring, with above-average temperatures and an increased risk of wildfires.
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