Yep, That East Coast Storm Looks Even Worse Than Before

The Weather Channel's take on snow accumulatin
from Wednesday's anticipated storm.  

Winter storm warnings are flying in a broad stretch of the East Coast, from the mountains of North Carolina, through parts of the heavily populated areas of the Mid-Atlantic States on into New England.

The storm as of Tuesday evening was gathering strength around Florida, and will make its way up the coast Wednesday.

As I noted this morning, Wednesday is the biggest travel day of the year, so this will really screw things up. Especially since it's hitting such a large area, and a very populated area.

With any coastal storm, slight changes in the track of the storm could have a big time effect on how much snow will come down.

Suffice it to say, if you don't have to travel anywhere in the eastern United States on Wednesday, don't. Easier said than done, I know, given the holiday.

I guess the best thing to do is give a state by state breakdown of impacts.

Florida: Very heavy rains are hitting much of the northern half of the state this evening. Flood warnings, advisories and advisories are up for wide swaths of the state.

The threat of flooding will continue tonight and into Wednesday morning, but things will clear up during the day Wednesday as the storm heads northeast. Look for a nice Thanksgiving Day.

Georgia: A lot of rain is hitting the state. A flood watch is in effect for coastal regions into Wednesday morning. Clearing is expected later in the day.

South Carolina: Heavy rain is due tonight and Wednesday morning, but no major problems are expected, except near an iffy dam in the southwestern part of the state, which could fail and cause some downstream flooding

North Carolina: Several inches of snow could accumulate in the mountains of western North Carolina, especially at elevations above 3,500 feet on Wednesday, especially early in the day.

Virginia: The northwestern third of the state is under a winter storm warning Wednesday. Three to six inches of wet snow is likely at elevations below 1,500 feet above sea level, with 6 to 10 inches at higher elevations. Travel problems are likely in these areas.

Maryland: Winter storm warnings are up for the western half of Maryland Wednesday. In those spots, four to eight inches of snow is forecast Wednesday, with the heaviest snow between 9 a.m and 2 p.m., says the National Weather Service.

Lesser amounts are forecast in the central parts of the state, where a winter weather advisory is in effect. The winter weather advisory covers Baltimore and just west of Washington, DC.

Minor coastal flooding is possible along the coast.

Delaware: Rain, heavy at times is due Wednesday, causing local ponding and flooding of urban streets. The rain will mix with snow, and there could be some slick spots.

Pennsylvania: The southeastern half of the state is screwed on Wednesday. Look for four to eight inches of heavy, wet snow during the day.

Here's an excerpt from the winter storm warning in Pennsylvania:

"Anyone with holiday travel plans Wednesday should complete travel no later than 7 a.m. Wednesday to avoid any significant weather delays... or travel after the roads are cleared on Thursday. Heavy wet snow will probably obscure some road signs. There is a chance the wet snow could knock down a few tree limbs and result in power outages."

Oh, joy!

New Jersey: Six to 12 inches of snow is likely in the northwestern third of the state. The winter storm warning in that region is in effect from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday. Again this will be heavy, wet snow.

A winter weather advisory for lesser amounts of wet snow is in effect along a stripe from Camden to Trenton to Newark.

New York: The bullseye of this storm for the Empire State will be in the Hudson Valley from Albany to just north of New York City. Eight to 14 inches of snow is likely, with heaviest coming during the afternoon Wednesday.

Travel will be difficult at best, with very slippery roads, low visibility and possible fallen tree branches and power lines.

A winter weather advisory for up to three or four or five inches of slush is in effect for New York City. The storm should be gone by Thursday, meaning the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade can go on.

On the bright side, the areas south of Buffalo that got seven feet of snow last week in lake effect storms shouldn't be too bad. There's a little snow and freezing drizzle around the area tonight and Wednesday morning, but that should clear out later in the day

Connecticut: Winter storm warning for all but the south coast. Expect 8 to 10 inches of wet snow. Winds could be a factor, with possible gusts to 35 mph.

Rhode Island: Winter weather advisory for the northwestern half of the state, including Providence,  for several inches of heavy, wet snow, and sleet, and winds gusting to 30 mph or so Wednesday and the first half of Wednesday night.

Look for gusts over 40 mph along the coast especially during the first half of Wednesday night

Massachusetts: Arguably the most affected state with this storm. Eight to ten inches of heavy, wet snow, with locally higher amounts. The heaviest snow will come in the afternoon and evening. Lesser amounts of slushy snow are likely around Boston.

A wind advisory is up for the coast below Boston, and on Cape Cod and the Islands. Look for gusts to 50 mph with this storm

Vermont: Small state, wide range of impacts with this storm. Eight to 14 inches of snow in the two southernmost counties of Vermont.

Winter storm warning for the area southeast of a line from northwest of Rutland, to Waterbury, to Lyndonville. Expect five to 10 inches of snow, mostly between Wednesday afternoon and just after midnight Thursday.

Winter weather advisory for a stripe from just south of Burlington to near Newport for three to five inches of snow.

Just a dusting to 2 inches in the far northwest near St. Albans

New Hampshire/Maine: Heavy snow across most of the two states Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning. The National Weather Service in Gray, Maine said travel is not recommended during this time period.