New “potentially significant” winter storm expected in the United States this weekend: potential affected areas

The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) announced a “potentially significant” winter storm expected to arrive this weekend, just one week after Winter Storm Fern brought heavy snow, strong winds, freezing rain, record low temperatures, and power outages to several states across the central and eastern United States.

The agency noted that while the probability of high-impact snow and/or wind along the East Coast has increased for this weekend, there is still uncertainty regarding key details. These include the storm’s exact track, the type of precipitation, potential impacts on travel and infrastructure, and possible effects on coastal areas due to strong winds.

Meanwhile, the WPC forecasts that very cold temperatures will continue across the eastern half of the country into next week. A strong surface low-pressure system is also expected to develop rapidly off the southeastern coast on Saturday and move away from the Mid-Atlantic region on Sunday.

This system will generate widespread gusty winds. According to the agency, this surface low, interacting with a very cold air mass, will produce heavy and widespread precipitation.

The Weather Prediction Center’s forecast indicates that the winter storm is expected to intensify rapidly as it lifts over the western Atlantic off the Southeast on Saturday and over the Mid-Atlantic and New England on Sunday. Strong winds and large waves are also expected, along with the potential for coastal flooding.

Cold temperatures across the United States in the coming days

According to the Weather Prediction Center, frigid temperatures are expected to persist across the eastern two-thirds of the United States over the next several days. “Another blast of arctic air will spread from the Plains through the East/Southeast Friday into Saturday with more record lows are possible as far south as Florida,” the short-term forecast states.

The agency added that this Arctic air mass will be accompanied by strong, persistent winds, with extremely cold temperatures expected to drop to minus 20 degrees. “These low temperatures will continue to pose a deadly risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Dress warmly if you are outdoors, make sure pets and animals are protected from the cold, and continue taking steps to prevent pipes from freezing,” the WPC said.

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