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Winter Storm Leaving Its Mark Before Exiting

January 17, 2022
UPDATED By WeatherBug's Intern Meteorologist, Christopher Smith
A powerful winter storm is leaving its mark across the Northeast with gusty winds and lingering snow before exiting later this evening.

Low pressure is currently accelerating northeastward and pushing into New England. Snow is slowly beginning to taper off from the central Appalachians to northern New England while gusty winds continue to lash the Northeast. The snow will cease as the storm system finally exits into Southeastern Canada later this evening.

Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories remain in place from the central Appalachians to the Maine-Canada border. Snowshoe, W. Va., Erie, Pa., Buffalo and Syracuse, N.Y., Burlington, Vt., Conway, N.H., and Bangor and Caribou, Maine, are included.

Snow showers continue to wrap around the northwest side of the strong strom system and are being enhanced by the lakes and elevation. Additional snowfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected for most locations. However, storm total snowfall will range from 8 inches to nearly a whopping 2 feet.

Given the storm’s inland track, warm air has flooded the Interstate 95 from Providence, R.I., to Portland, Maine with temperatures in the 40s. The warm air kept snowfall totals to only a coating to a few inches here. 

Travel will remain difficult, if not impossible, especially along Intestate 81 and 87 as well as north and west of Interstate 95 in New England through the evening. If you cannot avoid travel, allow plenty of time and distance between you and the next motorist to arrive safely at your travel destination.

Besides the snow, high winds are still persisting across the Northeast. Sporadic High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories remain in place from northern Georgia to eastern Maine. Sustained wind clocking in at 25 to 35 mph and gusts peaking at 50 to 65 mph will lead to additional power outages and difficult driving, especially for high-profiled vehicles. Providence, R.I., Boston and Hyannis, Mass., and Portland, Maine, are a few of the cities included.

Coastal Flood Warnings and Advisories are also still in effect for the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Here, minor to perhaps locally major coastal flooding is expected. A total water rise of 1 to 3 feet could inundate nearby roads and threaten homes.

So far, the storm has packed gnarly snowfall totals across North Carolina’s Appalachian Spine up through Upstate N.Y. where a foot or more has fallen. Saluda, N.C., measured 15.5 inches before mixing with and sleet and freezing rain earlier on Sunday while Buffalo, N.Y., has already picked up to 19 inches of snow. The Greeneville, S.C., area received 4 to 7 inches of snow, with 8 inches recorded near Ida, Va., near Interstate 81. Reagan National Airport picked up 2.6 inches, while Baltimore International had 1.7 inches and more than one-tenth inch of ice accumulation.

Be sure to download the WeatherBug app to stay up to date on the latest on this changing weather. Regardless of the exact track, it’s never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage. It’s always best to avoid travel in rough weather as the roads will be dangerous.