NEW YORK – Millions along the Northeast Coast are bracing for their first major winter storm of the season this weekend, as a fast-moving system interacts with frigid air pushed south by the Polar Vortex.
Forecasters expect 1–3 inches of snow from Indiana through Ohio and into Maryland, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and New York City beginning Saturday and lasting into Sunday morning. Southern New England, including areas as far north as Providence, Rhode Island, could also see accumulating snow. The cold air in place from the Polar Vortex will help convert any incoming moisture into snow as the system moves across the region.
Record low temperatures were already recorded in parts of New England earlier this week, highlighting the depth of the cold. The Polar Vortex, a large area of low pressure and cold air near the poles, has weakened slightly, allowing frigid air to spill into the Midwest and Northeast. This shift in the jet stream is guiding Arctic air from Canada into the Lower 48.
Forecast models indicate snow will reach the Midwest and Ohio Valley on Saturday, impacting cities such as Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Columbus, Ohio, which have already seen snowfall earlier in the week. Winter storm watches are in effect across Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The storm is expected to reach the Northeast overnight Saturday, with Sunday morning bringing snow to areas along the coast before the system quickly moves out by Sunday afternoon. Southern New Jersey, Philadelphia, and areas southwest of Washington, D.C., could see the heaviest accumulations, with 3–5 inches of snow expected. While Washington, D.C., and Baltimore have already recorded measurable snow this winter, this will mark the first significant snowfall for Philadelphia and New York City.
Officials are advising residents with outdoor plans to monitor the forecast closely as timing and totals could shift. The storm aligns with NOAA’s long-range prediction of an active start to the winter season, influenced in part by the ongoing La Niña pattern.