Potential Blizzard Threatens Mid-Atlantic and Northeast This Weekend

Weather models are hinting at a significant snowstorm later this week, potentially bringing blizzard conditions to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. While uncertainty remains, the storm could rival historic snowfall events in the region, including the 2010 “Snowmageddon” that dumped nearly 30 inches of snow on Washington, D.C. over two storms.

FOX 5 meteorologist Mike Thomas reports that a storm developing in the South later this week has the potential to ride the jetstream northward, bringing heavy snow to areas still recovering from Monday’s winter storm. Reagan National Airport recorded 7.2 inches of snow, marking the largest snowfall in the D.C. area since early January 2022.

The American Weather Model (GFS) has been forecasting a powerful nor’easter that could bring blizzard conditions to the region Friday night through Saturday. The model shows a strengthening wave of low pressure moving up the coastline, producing strong winds and heavy snowfall. This combination could reduce visibility and meet the criteria for a blizzard warning, which D.C. has not seen since January 2016.

However, the European model (ECMWF), which performed more accurately with Monday’s storm, suggests the storm may not phase with northern jetstream energy. Without this connection, the system would remain weaker, potentially bringing only light snowfall to the region on Saturday before moving out to sea.

Thomas emphasized that small shifts in the models’ predictions could lead to significant differences in the storm’s impact. “The devil is always in the details with a larger storm,” he said. “Small shifts in how either model sees the upper air energy that will create this storm means big differences in how it will track.”

Residents are advised to stay updated as the forecast evolves. The FOX 5 Weather Team expects models to reach better agreement by Wednesday or Thursday, providing clearer insight into whether the region will face another major snowstorm or a more manageable system.