If you are a resident of any states on the Eastern Coast, in the Midwest, or in the Northeast, than you are more than likely going to experience a frigid and rainy beginning to the New Year. The National Weather Service is predicting that two storm cells will collide and create one large cell, which will make its way along the eastern seaboard. This will create wet and cold conditions going into 2014. Rain is expected across Interstate 95 on Saturday evening, and this rain will continue into Monday. The storm will then move into the Northeastern states on Saturday. The panhandle of Florida will experience strong rain and wind gusts as the storm moves onshore. Any residents living in the southern states can also expect heavy rain conditions with precipitation totals expected to be about an inch.
A cold front will make its way across the Ohio Valley, where it will collide with another storm cell. This will add to the storms already powerful surge, and the storm will then move to the coast of New Jersey. Sunday morning, the storm is predicted to move through New England and into Canada. The air will be relatively mild, which means that any major cities along the coast can expect rainfall instead of snow accumulations. These totals could be an inch to 1.5 inches. The major cities that will be affected are New York, Washington D.C, and Boston and it will take place on Monday morning.
The frigid air will stay in upstate New York and Northern New England. Albany, Augusta, Burlington, and Glen falls will see most of the snowfall, with up to several inches of heavy accumulation being predicted. Luckily for residents of these states, the storm will make a swift exit into the Canada Maritimes. The storm will strengthen as it moves into Canada, with wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph being expected. Because this storm will not make its way into the affected states for a few more days, some changes in the system may take place. Stay tuned to your local weather authority for any updates that may occur within today and the expected time frame.