Next Bowling Ball Blasts East Coast, from Boca to Bangor!

Wow, what a great snowstorm to kick off the season and 2024! Our long duration (nearly 18 hours) event lived up to the forecast with sweet spots in the Poconos, Hudson Valley, western Mass and NE Mass on up to S NH. Plenty of jackpots as well for areas under those bands I mentioned. Given we have lots to cover, rather do a review of the storm, see below at end of post for maps and summary of totals through out the Northeast. Per my hint on our next storm, lets talk about details on track, timing, type of precipitation, and major impacts of this powerful system for today into early Wednesday morning. This one will be a doozy! I’m very concerned of widespread power outages, major flooding, especially in prone areas around the tri-state area including snow socked areas. As mentioned this setup in very much like the storm back on December 18^th, which had tremendous flooding across the Northeast, and knocked out power to nearly half of Maine. The storm will run up the entire eastern seaboard from Boca to Bangor, touching every state in between.

While the main area focused for my forecasts are the Northeast, I do have loyal followers pretty much up and down the East Coast. For purposes of this storm I’ll give a brief look at timing and what to expect for the following locations below. But bottom line this storm should be taken seriously. Impact will be widespread. I would strongly suggest charging electronics, taking in any loose items from outside, check your sump pumps and if your basements are prone to flood bring up those treasured items, and move cars away from trees. And by the way, the bowling balls keep coming as I alluded to on my Friday post, but I’ll will get to that at the end.

Florida

Arrival time on the West Coast of Florida specifically Tampa between 2 and 3 PM. Tornado watches are possible along lightning and gusts of 40 to 50mph. Jacksonville arrival time between 2-3pm, Orlando between 4-6pm, Jupiter between 7-9pm and Boca between 8-10pm, yet less severe.

Georgia / SC

Woodstock, Georgia, the line moves through probably when you’re reading this between 7am and 8am, and in Greer, SC 8-10am (both locations will see heavy downpours ahead of line. Cary, NC between 12pm and 2pm.

Alexandria / DC Area

DC area conditions go downhill between 10am and noon with gusty conditions (40 to 50mph) and heavy downpours (nearly 2″) lasting all afternoon. Temps climb into the low 60s well after dark as warm SW winds push into DC. mid to late morning between 9 and 10 AM.

Tri-State Area

For NJ, NYC and lower Hudson Valley, rain moves into the area from the SW moving NE at approximately 12pm and 1pm. Conditions worsen throughout the day into the evening rush-hour before tapering off around midnight. The strongest winds (arriving appx between 9/10pm until 1/2am) will be felt along the coast with gusts of 50 miles an hour perhaps is highest 60 to 70. Inland still gets caught in the game with 35-45mph with isolated 50. These gusts are strong enough to knock down trees, causing power outages throughout the state. Rainfall totals will range between 1.5″ to 3″, locally higher amounts. The five boroughs will be prone to significant flooding as well as areas throughout New Jersey Hudson Valley and Southwest Connecticut. Besides isolated boomers and bolts, far NWNJ burbs as well as Hudson Valley may see some snow on the front of the storm between 12pm and 2pm.

Southern New England

Rain moves into CT first between 3-5pm and 4-6pm in MA. Front end snowfall starts up in MA before changing to a mix of sleet, freezing rain to all rain between 7-9pm. Any accumulation will of course melt adding to the flooding situation. That said, it’s going to be a long night. Rain moves in, becoming heavier from 7-9pm and if you’re a light sleeper expect to be woken up in the middle of the night with strong wind gusts between 1am to 6am. Total rainfall between 2 and 4 inches is expected in these areas with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph, up to 70+ along the south shore of Rhode Island, the Cape and coastal sections of MA. Temps will be rising throughout the night, reaching into the low to mid 50s throughout the evening hours.

Northern New England

For VT, NH, and Maine, this is an entirely different storm at least at the beginning as temps remain in the upper 20s to low 30s throughout the day into the early evening hours. Moderate to heavy snowfall will commence between 4-6pm in Vermont, and most of New Hampshire. Before changing over entirely to all rain from around 11pm to 1am and throughout the night, south of 202 in NH can expect a coating up to 3 inches or so. Once north of 202, up to Waterville on North look for 8″ to over a foot. Those snow totals continue to climb into northwest Maine towards the Loaf.

However, this won’t last as any snowfall will create further flooding problems as temperatures climb from the low 30s to the low upper 40s to low 50s throughout the night. We’ll see anywhere from 1.5″ to 3″ inches of flooding rain, combined with strong to damaging wind gusts, which will pick up from the early late evening hours and right through the morning rush hour. All precip ends across NH between 6-9am and by noon across ME. This is not a very good set up at all. I can’t emphasize enough to take extra care before the storm to prep for any possible power outages in your area. High Wind Watch and Coastal Flood Watch is in effect for the Seacoast, and Flood Watches are up further inland.

Yes, that’s a lot for now. But it doesn’t end there. The next bowling ball rolling into the Northeast arrives this weekend. Devil is in the details, but looks like just a Saturday event so for those who have travel plans to New England, leave on Friday and you’ll be all set. I’ll be back later this week with details on this storm and possibly a much larger system early next week (Tuesday/Wed). Dare I say the B word?? Haha too early of course but I’m excited about this active pattern. Lastly, I strongly suggest you enjoy any days in the 30s, 40s and possibly touching 50s. Wait still to you see what’s coming later next week. Can you say potential pipe busting? The wild winter train of 2024 has left the station, buckle and bundle up!