Here is the expected snow accumulations for tonight into Friday morning.
Widespread 1-3″+ is expected across the entire area. And it looks like most areas will be in the 2-3″ range, rather than the lower end. There is also increasing concern of 2 heavier bands of snow, which look to set up in the vicinity of I-95, and another one across western and northwestern MD. Where exactly they set up is still uncertain. But it is increasingly likely that areas under those bands could easily pick up 3-4″ with localized amounts up to 5″ possible. The entire area is under a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY to cover this event.
The thing that is preventing us from recieving more snow is the lack of moisture, but also the fast forward speed of the storm. In fact, snow may last only a few hours, mainly between 9PM and 6AM. Thats not a lot of snow time for a snow storm. The heaviest snow is likely to develop between 11PM and 3AM, which is when the bulk of the accumulation is expected.
As far as impacts go, widespread travel disruptions are increasingly likely. It will be plenty cold for snow to stick on all untreated surfaces, including untreated roads. You can expect numerous delays and closures, as travel will be quite difficult. Given the stress on trees from the last snow storm, any additional accumulations will pose the the threat of downed trees and isolated power outages. The one good thing about this event is that the snow will be very powdery and easy to shovel.
