The latest in an unending parade of winter storms is moving over the US east coast, dropping a wintry mix as far south as northern Georgia and potentially causing more headaches for the snow-weary northeastern New England states.
The National Weather Service said the storm was expected to bring 15cm or more of snow to some areas in the Northeast by Sunday morning. And once it leaves, another round of bitter cold temperatures will cover the region for most of the upcoming work week.
The storm caused hassles all over: rain and above-freezing temperatures in Tennessee prompted state emergency officials to warm of possible flash flooding from melting snow.
Officials in the Washington area, where 7.5 to 20cm was expected, urged drivers to avoid unnecessary travel. Blowing snow swirled through the streets of Philadelphia and New York City.
"The arctic air mass we've been dealing with means this storm will overachieve," said Lance Franck, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
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As much as 20cm of snow was possible in some inland areas of the Northeast, while areas farther south and closer to the coast were expecting a wintry mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain.
The eastern US did not have the market cornered on misery, however: A winter storm is threatening to bring 60cm or more of snow to parts of Colorado by the beginning of the work week.
The wintry precipitation could create more issues in New England, which has been slammed by several strong storms in recent weeks - Boston has seen more than 2.4 metres of snow.
Seven to 15cm of snow was forecast for much of New England, as well as a wintry mix including rain as temperatures climb.
Kim Buttrick, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Taunton, Massachusetts, said existing snowpack will become heavier as it absorbs any rain that does fall and endanger strained roofs.
The higher temperatures won't last, either.
"We have a little teaser with this warmup," Buttrick said, "but temperatures are going to go back to being below normal on Monday and Tuesday."
