A big blast of snow, then cold air is set to sweep across the Northeast this holiday weekend.
Named Winter Storm Demi by The Weather Channel, it will bring a quick round of snow to some of the country’s largest cities, which could impact everything from travel to playoff football.
W​inter storm watches have been added from the northern Virgnias to the interior portions of southern New England. This is where snow may make roads tricky to navigate by later in the holiday weekend.
On Saturday, a cold front will sweep through the area, bringing mainly rain to coastal areas and the Interstate 95 corridor. Some light snow will sweep through interior sections of the Northeast, northern New England and the Ohio Valley.
A soggy Saturday is expected across much of the Southeast.
However, this is not the main event.
The headliner for this weekend’s system is the area of low pressure that will shoot out of the South and head north along the Atlantic coast. This will strengthen as it moves northward and wring out the snow across the Northeast and New England.
There are still model discrepancies as to how much snow will fall; much of this depends on how close to the coast the low tracks.
If the low hugs the coast, then there will be more snow for the big cities. But if the low tracks farther west, then the snowfall amounts will be smaller along I-95.
FOOTBALL note:
The Rams vs. Eagles playoff game in Philadelphia on Sunday could get interesting. With the potential for snow moving in, there could be issues with travel getting to and from the game. Right now, the forecast calls for generally up to 5 inches of snow in and around Philadelphia, with the highest totals along I-95 and westward.
(​Divisional Playoffs: Forecast For Snow And Cold Games)
T​he rest of the Northeast and New England could see several inches of snow, but there are still uncertainties. Regardless, there will still be travel trouble Sunday evening into Monday morning, with slick roads and possible airport delays.
T​he mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., is also forecast for snowy conditions much of Sunday. The forecast calls for a couple of inches of snow, but the snow will be pushing out well ahead of the Presidential Inauguration on Monday.
