Very Strong Storm Will Move Up the East Coast on Wednesday and Thursday, Snow and Strong Winds, Bitter Arctic Air to Follow...

Models continue to indicate that a rapidly intensifying or "bombing" storm will form off the coast of Florida in response to a strong jetstream trough digging down from the Midwest on Wednesday.  The storm will track up the coast producing strong winds and snow along the coast from the Mid-Atlantic to Maine on Thursday. Winter Storm Watches are in effect for southern NJ, eastern Long Island and coastal New England.  Only 1 to 3 inches of snow is forecast for NYC at the present time with up to 8 inches for eastern Long Island. Over a foot of snow will fall from Boston to Maine.  Strong winds gusting to over 50 mph will produce blowing and drifting snow.  The Northeast and almost the entire eastern half of the nation has been in a cold wave for the last week.  The coldest air so far this winter will arrive in the wake of this powerful storm with lows near 3 degrees by Saturday morning in New York City with highs only near 14 during the day. Some moderation will finally arrive by next Monday with a chance of rain or snow.  
George Wright is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist for Wright Weather Consulting, LLC. Visit our website at WrightWeather.com. Follow George Wright on Twitter @gwweather.