Despite an upcoming warm weekend, another storm is appearing to increase its possibility of occurring next week, with the potential to bring snow, ice, wind, and possibly intense thunderstorms to the East and South Coast - essentially a repeat of Winter Storm Olympia, according to The Weather Channel.
As of now, it's too far off to give concrete details about the amounts of snow, ice or rain that the storm could bring. Due to a subtropical jet stream making its way toward the West Coast from 4,000 miles out, there is even a chance that the storm doesn't occur at all, says Jonathan Erdman, a digital and senior meteorologist for The Weather Channel.
Why forecasting an E. Coast storm's details 7 days out isn't possible. Jet disturbance 4000 mi. away from W. Coast. pic.twitter.com/LWJBn6o4eq
— Jonathan Erdman (@wxjerdman) February 17, 2016
Despite this uncertainty, "indicators are suggesting that at least part of next week will be a stormy and unsettled period along the Atlantic coast of the United States," according to Paul Pastelok, the chief long-range meteorologist of AccuWeather. If it occurs, the storm could do two things: track offshore and bring snow to Washington, D.C., up to Boston, or track close to the coast (or fall inland) and bring rain to that I-95 corridor.
Temperatures are expected to drop down to the 30s and 40s next week, setting up cold that could provide for snow as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico comes together with the cold air creeping over the Northeast and Ohio Valley, brought in from the polar jet stream. If the polar jet stream overlaps with the subtropical coming in from the west, low pressure could build strength as it moves up the East Coast.
The best chance of snow and rain will come between Feb. 23 and 25, Tuesday and Thursday of next week, with current projections showing chances of snow, rain, ice and wind, according to Weather Underground. As of now, expectations are as follows:
• The Appalachians and the Northeast interior stand the biggest chance of receiving snow. Rain is also possible along the I-95 corridor, but it could change to snow, or start out white and turn to water.
• Freezing rain is expected at some point in time, but it does not appear to be at significant levels. It should be comparable to Winter Storm Olympia. Wind is expected to hit the Northeast if the low pressure system strengthens.
• The South and Southeast could experience severe thunderstorms due to the warm and moist air colliding with the subtropical jet stream. Tornadoes are also possible. Storms could begin as early as Monday and continue until early Wednesday.
