Anor'easteris forecast for the East Coast this weekend, but the amount of snow that falls − and where − remains challenging to pinpoint as of Friday, Feb. 20.
"An East Coast storm is expected to develop this weekend, but the track of this potential nor'easter isn't yet determined, leaving impacts such as snow, rain, wind and coastal flooding from Sunday [Feb. 22] into Monday [Feb. 23] uncertain from New England to the mid-Atlantic states," saidWeather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman in an online forecast from Friday morning, Feb. 20.
According toAccuWeather, there is a risk that the storm strengthens rapidly, bringing heavier snow to parts of the Interstate-95 corridor, including New York City and Philadelphia.
Clarity should come soon, however: "Forecast totals and timing should come into better focus by late tonight," theNational Weather Service in Philadelphianoted in an online forecast discussion posted early Friday, Feb. 20.
Regardless of the final outcome, the weather service also urged caution and preparedness: "We still remain in the 'wait and see' period with this storm, so just take precautions now, should the worst case scenario play out,"the weather service forecast office in Stirling, Virginia, said in an online forecast."Having a preparedness kit stocked up is never a bad idea."
Snow covers the ground in northwest Oklahoma City, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. These photos captured the winter storm's aftermath from the sky." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Mesmerizing drone photos taken after winter storm show power of nature
Snow covers the ground in northwest Oklahoma City, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. These photos captured thewinter storm's aftermathfrom the sky.
Storm's track will determine impacts
For several days now, the computer models that meteorologists use to predict weather have had a hard time agreeing on the future path of the storm, which has yet to fully form. A track closer to shore means more snow, while a track farther offshore means less snow.
"The critical question for heavy versus light snow along I-95 is the track of the coastal storm," said Dan DePodwin, AccuWeather vice president of forecasting operations, in an e-mail to USA TODAY. "That track will depend on how quickly the storm intensifies."
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Erdman agrees with this, noting that "the main uncertainty is where this offshore low tracks. That affects who may see snow, rain, wind and coastal flooding and the magnitude of those impacts."
How much snow could fall?
According to Erdman, the heaviest snow is expected along the coast from New Jersey to Massachusetts, where totals could surpass 4 inches, and in the northern Appalachians, where totals could surpass a foot.
From Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, precipitation is expected to fall mainly as snow, but marginal temperatures may limit accumulation on paved surfaces during daylight hours,AccuWeather said.
"During the day Sunday [Feb. 22] and Monday [Feb. 23], when snow is not falling heavily, highways and city streets can be just wet or slushy in spots due to temperatures near freezing combined with the higher sun angle in late February," DePodwin said.
"However, there will be periods when snowfall rates are heavy enough to overcome marginal temperatures and sunlight, especially at night," he added.
Another snowy weekend
For some Northeast cities, this would mark a fifth consecutive weekend with snowfall, AccuWeather said.
Overall, New York City has recorded 22.3 inches of snow this season, near the historical average of 22.1 inches, following a stretch of temperatures 9.4 degrees below the historical average.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Here's the latest forecast for the looming East Coast nor'easter
