Early Winter Storm to Hit Northeast

A major early-season snowstorm is expected Saturday as an area of low pressure tracks up the U.S. East Coast, bringing the possibility of significant snowfall in a broad band ranging from the central Appalachian to the southern New England regions.

Winter storm watches are in effect for parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, including the extreme northern and western suburbs of the Washington metro area.

Total snowfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches are forecast from the higher terrain of Virginia and West Virginia northeastward through eastern Pennsylvania, with a band of 8 to 10 inches possible from extreme northern Maryland northeastward through northern New Jersey and into western Massachusetts, the National Weather Service said in a statement.  Isolated spots could get a foot of accumulation.

The National Weather Service noted the precipitation should come to an end across the Mid-Atlantic states by Saturday night and across New England by late Sunday.

Cities and airports in the region are on alert for the snow and ice.