Nor'easter: Snow for Boston, Providence, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. May Affect Rush Hour Commutes

Commuters in the Northeast Tuesday and Wednesday may have to deal with some snow as a potent storm develops off the East Coast. Snowfall amounts will depend on the strength of an upper-air disturbance as it moves across the Mid-Atlantic early Tuesday, and later on the strength and track of a rapidly intensifying low pressure system off the East Coast.

(MORE: East Coast Winter Storm Forecast)

Here is an overview of the timing and expected travel impacts for this storm system for major Northeast metropolitan areas from south to north, following the track of the storm. We have also included worst-case scenarios – which should be considered unlikely but not impossible – as well as the chances of snow not falling at all.

Baltimore/Washington Snow Forecast

Washington, D.C. and Baltimore Snow Forecast

• Tuesday afternoon commute: Snow continues. Light accumulations mainly on grass, car tops, etc., as air temperatures hover above freezing. Roads mainly wet or a bit slushy.
• Snow winds down Tuesday evening. Blustery and drying out with temperatures falling into the 20s later Tuesday night.
• Wednesday morning commute: Probably OK. Most roads should dry out before the commute due to the gusty winds. Any lingering moisture on roads may re-freeze, however, so beware of spotty black ice potential.
• Snowfall forecast: See inset map for the most likely amounts
• Worst case scenario (unlikely): Could be 6 to even 8 inches of snow if the upper-air disturbance proves much stronger than expected

Delaware Valley Snow Forecast

Philadelphia Snow Forecast

• Tuesday afternoon commute: Light snow possible. With temperatures likely in the low to mid 30s, roads will be mainly wet or a bit slushy.
• Snow winds down Tuesday evening – maybe lingering past midnight in a few areas. Brisk north winds and temperatures falling into the upper 20s.
• Wednesday morning commute: Probably OK. Most roads should dry out before the commute due to the gusty winds. Any lingering moisture on roads may re-freeze, however, so beware of spotty black ice potential.
• Snowfall forecast: See inset map for the most likely amounts
• Worst case scenario (unlikely): 4 to 6 inches of snow possible if the upper-air disturbance proves much stronger than expected
• Chance of no snow accumulation at all: Very low (about 10%)

Tri-State Snowfall Forecast

New York City Snow Forecast

• Tuesday afternoon commute: Light snow may begin to fall. Temperatures will be above freezing, so roads should be wet at worst.
• Periods of light snow Tuesday night; temperatures falling to around 30. Most of the snow accumulation occurs Tuesday night.
• Wednesday morning commute: Blustery with a few lingering snow showers possible. Major travel problems not expected. Slick and slushy spots possible mainly on untreated pavement, side streets, etc.
• Snow showers end by midday. Clearing and windy for the afternoon with temperatures rising above freezing.
• Wednesday afternoon commute: Most roads will have dried out by this point; at worst, a little melting slush could be left over on shaded parts of less-traveled streets
• Snowfall forecast: See inset map for the most likely amounts
• Worst case scenario (unlikely): 4 to 6 inches of snow possible if the upper-air disturbance proves much stronger than expected
• Chance of no snow accumulation at all: Low for the city and Long Island (10 to 20%) ... but fairly high (about 70%) from northwest N.J. into the lower Hudson Valley north of Westchester.

Southern New England Snow Forecast

Boston and Providence Snow Forecast

• Snow begins late evening or overnight Tuesday night; snow and wind increase toward dawn
• Wednesday morning commute: Gusty winds across the area; heavy snow for Cape Cod, moderate snow from Boston to Providence as well as the South Shore and South Coast, and much lighter snow farther north and west. Potentially dangerous travel conditions in southeast Massachusetts, but far less impact to the north and west.
• Wednesday afternoon commute: Dangerous or even impossible travel conditions expected for the Cape. Blowing snow may keep tough conditions intact for the South Shore and South Coast as well even as snow comes to an end. From Boston to Providence and points north and west, mainly just windy with the snow either winding down or having already ended.
• Any lingering snowfall ends quickly Wednesday evening. Very cold Wednesday night with lows in the teens and gusty northwest winds, causing blowing and drifting snow to continue for Cape Cod.
• Thursday morning commute: May still be digging out in southeast Massachusetts due to the blowing snow overnight. Most other areas should recover quickly but it will be cold and windy in the morning.
• Snowfall forecast: See inset map for the most likely amounts
• Worst case scenario (unlikely): Our forecast is already on the high end of the range of possibilities. A shift west in the storm track (relative to the current forecast) could bring the higher snow amounts slightly farther west.
• Chance of no snow accumulation at all: Very low on the Cape and islands (about 10%); from Worcester to southern New Hampshire, the odds of no snowfall are much higher (up to 50%)

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http://www.weather.com/news/commuter-conditions/boston-providence-nyc-philly-baltimore-dc-snow-20140324