Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
High risk of tropical development off US Atlantic coast. Get details Chevron right
Storms to spark on July 4th in parts of the Plains and Southeast. Click here Chevron right

Columbus, OH

70°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

70°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Newsletters

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

Powerful winterlike storm to unload soaking rain, snow in northeastern US

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Published Oct 23, 2018 3:53 PM EDT | Updated Jul 1, 2019 5:05 PM EDT

Copied

A storm is forecast to track close enough to the Atlantic coast to disrupt travel in the northeastern United States due to drenching rain, wet snow and gusty winds during this weekend.

Even though the upcoming nor'easter is not likely to rank among the worst for the time of the year nor will it likely match the impact of the late-October storm from 2011, it will still pack a punch.

The storm before Halloween in 2011 caused heavy wet snow to fall over a large part of the Northeast, which caused widespread power outages and major travel disruptions. With the storm this weekend, the majority of the region will receive rain and not snow. However, winds along the coast could be strong enough for a brief time to be of concern.

The storm forecast for the Northeast this weekend will spring up from the Deep South and may contain some of the moisture and energy from Willa, which was a former Category 5 hurricane over the eastern Pacific.

Feature graphic hd22

Into Friday, rain will drench areas hit hard by hurricanes Florence and Michael.

"At this time, it looks like this storm will bring a general 1-2 inches of rain and a period of 40- to 60-mph wind gusts to the coast, and there will be some sort of wet snow over the interior," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek.

How close to the coast the storm tracks and how quickly the storm strengthens will ultimately determine the force of the winds and the rate of rainfall and snowfall.

Forward speed of the storm will also determine whether much of the weekend is a washout or only one day.

Regardless, a period of adverse weather conditions is on the way this weekend.

Static Noreaster 3 pm

Given the warmth of the ocean and anticipated air temperature, a cold rain will fall along the coast and at many low-elevation spots across the interior of the mid-Atlantic and in southeastern New England with this storm.

Roanoke, Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia; Atlantic City, New Jersey; New York City; Hartford, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Boston; and Portland, Maine, can expect this storm to bring rain.

Enough rain can fall over a several-hour period to create miserable conditions for those spending any time outdoors and cause flooding in urban and poor drainage areas.

Since the storm will be strengthening as it moves northeastward spanning Saturday and Sunday, winds will pick up on the coast.

Static NE Coast 3 pm

For a time, winds are likely to become strong enough to cause sporadic power outages along the coast. Many trees still have leaves on them, and the ground is soggy from excessive rainfall in recent months. The trees are top heavy and easily toppled.

The combination of rain, wind and a low cloud ceiling is likely to lead to airline delays and slow travel on area highways.

RELATED:

6 things you should do to prep your home for fall
5 weather threats to be wary of during the fall
AccuWeather’s US winter forecast for 2018-2019 season
Stunning autumn foliage starts to emerge in southeastern US despite Florence, Michael impacts

A period of rough surf and above-normal tides is likely as the storm moves northward along the coast. Minor coastal flooding is likely during one or two high tide cycles this weekend.

As the storm strengthens, it may manufacture enough cold air to bring a change to a rain/snow mix over the highest terrain from the mountains of West Virginia to western New York.

Static AP Snow on Pumpkin

A pumpkin in southern Pennsylvania appears to have a surprised look on its face as snow accumulates on top. During late October 2011, an unusually early and powerful nor'easter along the East Coast began dumped up to a foot of wet, heavy snow that weighed down or toppled leafy trees and power lines and combined with high winds to knock out power to hundreds of thousands. (AP Photo/York Daily News,Jason Plotkin)

AP

However, farther to the northeast, the storm will have a bit more cold air to work to allow wet snow for at least part of the event over eastern New York state to northern Maine.

A couple of degrees Fahrenheit may be the difference in the higher terrain receiving several inches of snow versus a mere mix of rain and wet snowflakes that do not accumulate.

The exact elevation where snow may stick to road surfaces may be restricted to the ridges and/or areas that are shaded from the sun on a clear day at intermediate elevations across the interior.

Where there is a combination of clinging wet snow and gusty winds, there is an increased potential for power outages. Typically, early-season heavy snowfall is confined to a small geographical area.

Motorists who expect to travel over high ground in the northern Appalachians should be prepared for some snow along the way. Make sure tires can handle snow and slush and windshield wipers are in good condition. Toss a snow brush and blanket in the car for good measure.

Communities that have trick-or-treat activities scheduled for this weekend may be adversely affected by rain, poor visibility and slippery conditions. It may be difficult for motorists to see the ghosts and goblins wandering the neighborhood.

Fortunately, for people with travel or outdoor plans, heavy rain and/or snow and strong winds from the storm should only take up one weekend day and not both.

Fans attending area football games and autumn festivals this weekend may want to check the latest forecast by downloading the free AccuWeather app.

In the wake of the storm, enough residual cold air will remain over the interior to allow snow showers to occur from the Great Lakes to the Appalachians from later Sunday into Tuesday. It is possible that rain showers may be accompanied by the first wet snowflakes of the season along part of the Interstate-95 corridor as well early next week.

Forecaster Challenge News Story Banner

What do you think will happen? Test your prediction skills by clicking the link above and playing Forecaster Challenge.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Weather News

Wildfires are tearing through a popular tourist hotspot in Greec

Jul. 4, 2025
video

Bomb cyclone slams Australia with heavy rain and intense winds

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather Forecasts

Storms to spark on July 4th in parts of the Plains and Southeast

36 minutes ago

Weather News

Madre Fire grows to 52,000 acres, now California’s largest wildfire of...

10 hours ago

Hurricane

High risk for tropical development off US Atlantic coast

10 hours ago

Travel

Passengers scramble out of plane in St. Louis after report of smoke

21 hours ago

Weather News

Alabama teen struck by lightning while using phone during storm

18 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Weather News

‘Shark Whisperer’ swims its way into our shark obsession

1 day ago

Weather News

Endangered turtles share this Mexican beach with SpaceX rocket debris

1 day ago

Travel

Fourth of July gas hasn’t been this cheap since 2021

2 days ago

Weather News

What makes fireworks burst with vibrant colors?

1 week ago

Health

There is no safe amount of processed meat to eat, new research shows

21 hours ago

AccuWeather Weather News Powerful winterlike storm to unload soaking rain, snow in northeastern US
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...