Snow is back in the Northeast tonight, and it will be the first real test of winter. I am tracking a compact, fast-moving storm that will spread steady snow from Indiana to the Atlantic. It arrives cold, energetic, and ready to stick. Expect slower roads, delayed flights, and the first real scrape of the season for city budgets. Winter is finally acting like winter. ❄️
What is arriving this weekend
A well organized storm will sweep east tonight into Sunday morning. Many locations from Indiana and Ohio through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and southern New England will see 1 to 3 inches. Pockets from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia and southern New Jersey are set for 3 to 5 inches. New York City sits near the 1 to 3 inch zone, with higher totals north and west where air is colder.
The timing matters. Snow begins west to east this evening, with the heaviest rates overnight. Roads will glaze before daybreak when crews and commuters meet. Temperatures stay near or below freezing in many suburbs, so side streets and bridges will ice first. By late morning Sunday, most snow tapers to flurries.
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Plan for slick roads from late evening through early Sunday. Reduce speed, leave extra space, and watch bridges and ramps.
The climate setup behind the flakes
This storm is not a surprise in a La Niña winter. Colder water in the equatorial Pacific alters the jet stream. The storm track shifts north, and cold shots reach the Midwest and Northeast more often. That mix raises the odds of quick, plowable events like this one.
We have seen signs already. Around Edwardsville, Illinois, nearly 13 inches fell over 48 hours in late November. Earlier in November, lake-effect bands dropped 9 to 12 inches in parts of the Great Lakes. The atmosphere has the fuel, and the ground is cooling. When moisture and cold air overlap, even modest systems can deliver.
This La Niña is weak to moderate, and is expected to persist into late winter. That means more frequent light to moderate snows for the northern tier, with a few bigger hits when coastal storms line up with Arctic air. Not every weekend, but enough to matter.
What this means for cities and budgets
This snow ends a long quiet stretch for many cities. Crews in Philadelphia, for example, have saved millions this season as storms missed. That changes tonight. Salt barns will open, shifts will go long, and overtime will climb. The cost is not just salt. It is fuel for plows, wear on equipment, and time for cleanup.
Airports from Indianapolis to Newark should expect deicing delays during peak flakes. Regional rails and buses often slow to protect equipment and riders. Power outages are not widespread risks with this powdery snow, but heavy, wet bursts south of the main cold pool could tug at small limbs and lines.
Environmentally, how we respond matters. Rock salt helps safety, but too much washes into streams and harms aquatic life. Brine applied ahead of time can cut salt use while keeping roads passable. Cities that calibrate spreaders and clear drains protect both drivers and rivers.
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How to prepare and stay sustainable
You can make this storm easier on yourself and your community.
- Shovel early and often, before it compacts into ice.
- Use a shovel first, then apply only a light layer of deicer.
- Choose calcium magnesium acetate or sand near trees and pets.
- Clear storm drains so meltwater has a path.
Liquid brine before accumulation reduces ice bonding and can cut rock salt use by half. Aim for a coffee mug of salt per sidewalk slab, not a handful per step.
If you must travel, check conditions, pack a scraper, blanket, and phone charger, and tell someone your route. If you can, shift your trip to midday Sunday when plows have caught up and rates have eased.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much snow will I get?
A: Most of the Northeast will see 1 to 3 inches. Areas near Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and southern New Jersey can reach 3 to 5 inches. Local bands can nudge totals higher on grassy surfaces.
Q: When does it start and end?
A: Snow spreads in this evening, peaks overnight, and tapers Sunday morning. Roads improve Sunday afternoon as crews clear remaining slush.
Q: Why is this happening if the climate is warming?
A: A warmer climate holds more moisture, which can intensify winter storms when cold air is present. La Niña also favors a storm track that brings snow to the northern U.S. The result is fewer cold days on average, but still potent snow events.
Q: Will travel be affected?
A: Yes. Expect slick roads overnight and early Sunday, with flight deicing delays likely. Conditions improve by midday as snowfall lightens and plows progress.
Q: Is power loss likely?
A: Widespread outages are unlikely with lighter, colder snow. If temperatures rise near the coast and snow turns wetter, isolated limb breaks can cause small outages.
Winter returned on schedule tonight, and it brought enough punch to be felt from the Midwest to the coast. I will continue to track bands and updates through the night. Keep the shovel by the door, use salt wisely, and give road crews room to work. The season has started, and the pattern says more chances are on deck.
