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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Three major East Coast cities could see their first measurable snowfall of the season this week as a series of winter storms brings rounds of snow through the area.
Millions of residents in New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia may see their first snowfall of the season as a series of fast-moving Arctic storms—commonly known as Alberta clippers—target the Interstate 95 corridor in the coming days. The potential for accumulating snow could affect travel, disrupt weekend plans, and mark a shift from unusually mild conditions across the region this winter. AccuWeather meteorologists have flagged the timing and structure of these storms as critical, with impacts expected across the densely populated Northeast.
The average first snowfall for New York City, measuring at least .1 inches, is December 8. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Bryan Ramsey told Newsweek it's unclear if meteorologists will need to issue winter weather advisories for the system yet, as it's still too far out to know snowfall totals.
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According to AccuWeather forecasts, several clipper storms originating from Western Canada are expected to sweep across the Midwest and Northeast throughout the week, bringing a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The first storm is anticipated to impact the Midwest, bringing 3 to 6 inches of snow from North Dakota through upstate New York and Vermont by late Wednesday night. Regions such as Wisconsin and Michigan could see up to a foot of snow. Winds across the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast are projected to gust up to 45 mph, with isolated higher gusts possible in urban and lakeshore areas.
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Lake-effect snow is expected to follow the initial system, causing additional snow squalls and potentially hazardous travel from the Great Lakes through the Ohio Valley and into the Appalachians. By Wednesday night and early Thursday, flurries and snow showers may reach as far east as the I-95 corridor, although this initial burst is not expected to bring major accumulations to the coastal cities.
The second Alberta clipper, projected to take a more southerly path, will gather strength late in the week. Snow will build from the Canadian Rockies into the Plains, moving southeastward toward the Appalachians by Friday. This storm raises the possibility of snow reaching the Atlantic Seaboard, including New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston metropolitan areas, during the weekend. If the system is able to draw enough moisture from the Atlantic, it may produce accumulating snowfall across the coastal cities—an event that has yet to occur this season.
"There is the likelihood for the first accumulating snow of the season in the Interstate 95 corridor from Philadelphia to New York City and Boston this weekend,” AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin said in the report.
The forecast remains somewhat uncertain because the arrival of the coldest air may lag slightly behind the storm's approach to the coast. This could result in a wintry mix rather than all snow, but accumulating snowfall remains possible for all three major cities, according to AccuWeather forecasts.
Residents and travelers in New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia are advised to monitor local weather updates closely as the weekend approaches. If the forecast holds, these cities could experience their first meaningful snow accumulation of the season, resulting in hazardous travel and potential delays for motorists and airline passengers.
Drivers and air travelers should be prepared for periods of wintry weather and sudden changes in road or runway conditions. A wintry mix could make commutes and weekend travel hazardous. Local officials recommend readying emergency kits, winterizing vehicles, and reviewing safety procedures for icy or snow-covered roads. Forecasts will continue to be updated as the storm systems evolve and track closer to the coast.
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