Weekend Forecast: D.C. super storm, more Midwest snow
Super Bowl weekend is bringing Super Bowl weather to much of the nation.
A major (and possibly record breaking) snow storm is plowing through the east coast this weekend. Winter storm warnings are flying all weekend long for much of the eastern U.S. including areas around Washington D.C. and Virginia. Snowfall totals of 20" to 30" are likely for these areas. It's a super storm for Super Bowl weekend.
These Mid-Atlantic Nor'easters have all the ingredients to produce heavy snows. Cold air inland, deepening low pressure over warm Gulf Stream waters in the Atlantic, and plenty of moisture to draw from the Atlantic Ocean. They may see some thundersnow with this system in convective snowbursts. These mini thunderstorms within the bigger snow storm can produce incredible snowfall rates of 2" to 3" per hour.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
NOAA Saturday surface map shows intense storm winding up of the east coast.
These heavy snowfall totals would make for headlines and extended news coverage anywhere, including the Twin Cities. The difference out east is that they don't have nearly the numbers or sophistication when it comes to snow plowing and removal. You can say what you want about MNDOT, but when it comes to moving snow and keeping roadways relatively safe, they are the best in the nation in my opinion.
More snow on the way for Minnesota:
After relatively quiet Saturday, it looks like another potentially long duration snowfall event is heading into Minnesota starting on Sunday. The system is still getting organized, but it looks like a compact and potent upper low will dive down from Canada Sunday and stall over the Upper Midwest early next week. These "Manitoba Maulers" are relatively rare, but they can produce significant long duration snows. This unusual system is moving backwards, or retrograding, in the overall flow pattern.
The result for us is that as the system sits over us and deepens it will have a chance ot pull in moisture form the south. Details will evolve over the weekend, but it looks initially like snow will spread from north to south Sunday, increase in coverage and intensity Monday, and possibly linger into Tuesday. There is the potential for several inches of snow with this system. It's too early for specifics, but this system does appear to have the potential to put down 6"+ somewhere in Minnesota by late Monday.
Forecast models indicate the potential for several inches of snow in the metro Sunday night and Monday.(click on image for bigger picture)
Enjoy the quieter Saturday, and stay tuned for updates Sunday PM as our next potential snow maker approaches.
PH