Dangerous freeze-up, travel to follow snow in eastern US into Friday
A press of arctic air will cause rain to change to snow and result in a rapid freeze-up from the Appalachians to New England into Friday morning.
Following a surge of mild air on Thursday, another wave of cold air will sweep eastward through Friday. For many areas, the period of snow is likely to be brief and preceded by rain.
One to inches of snow accumulated in portions of northeast Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey on Thursday night.
A light to moderate snowfall is forecast from a portion of Long Island to southeastern New England into Friday morning.
"The area from Providence, Rhode Island, to Boston may get a burst of snow early Friday morning that creates a real mess for the morning commute," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bernie Rayno.
Whether or not a stripe of snow falls along the Jersey Shore and Delmarva will depend on if moisture hangs around long enough for cold air to catch up to it.
A freeze-up is likely to warrant forward planning and swift treatment of roads, parking lots and sidewalks throughout the swath from the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys to New England.
Wet and slushy areas are likely to freeze the fastest from the Tennessee and Ohio valleys to the central and southern Appalachians.
Wintry conditions will wind down in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, by the time Phil emerges from his burrow.
Roads may have a chance to dry off Friday afternoon before temperatures plummet in the mid-Atlantic and southern New England Friday evening.
Following rain and a little snow into Friday morning, temperatures may hover near 32 degrees in New York City into Friday afternoon, before tumbling into the teens Friday night.
A potent storm may bring drenching rain, accumulating snow and substantial travel delays in the Eastern states from Sunday to Monday.
AccuWeather will continue to provide updates on the return of cold weather and an uptick in the number of winter storms throughout February.
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