Weather

A storm projected to become a blizzard in New England will begin to produce snow and ice Wednesday from northeastern Florida to eastern North Carolina. This will result in slippery travel conditions. The storm is expected to strengthen rapidly Wednesday night and Thursday as it moves north just off the Atlantic coast. Snowfall will ramp up in northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, before spreading north along the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England coasts later in the day. Little to no snow is expected west of Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. High winds, heavy snow and frigid air will cause dangerous conditions to develop in eastern New England by Thursday.

Arctic air will lead to a freeze in the Deep South on Wednesday night and Thursday night, from South Texas to Florida. Arctic air will move into the north-central states, bringing lake-effect snow to the Upper Midwest.

In the West, most areas should remain dry and mild. A storm is expected to bring some rain to parts of California along with higher humidity. Widespread heavy rain is not expected, but it may be wet enough to ease wildfire conditions.

FOCUS: Brutally Cold Friday in the Northeast

An influx of arctic air will affect the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic on Friday. Strong, gusty winds will make it feel 10 to 20 degrees below zero from New York City and Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and more than 30 below zero in northern New England.