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December 28, 2000 — The Northeast may have dodged one bullet as the storm that iced over Texas and neighboring states drifts into the Atlantic without further incident. However, a new storm, already bringing snow to the upper Plains, is expected to head south and hit the Eastern Seaboard with the heaviest snow so far this season, according to NOAA's National Weather Service. (NOAA image of January 2000 snow storm in Arlington, Va. Click image for larger view.)

For more on the nation's New Year's weekend forecast, go to: http://weather.gov

National Weather Service forecasters expect the East Coast storm to drop down through North Carolina late Friday and rapidly re-energize as it feeds off Atlantic waters. The track taken by the storm as it moves back up across the seaboard will determine how much snow major metropolitan areas such as Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York have to deal with before the storm impacts New England.

Snow should begin in southeastern Virginia late Friday and spread up the Delmarva Peninsula to New Jersey, and New York and into New England on Saturday. Snow amounts will increase from a few inches in the south to accumulations of up to a foot or more as the storm develops over its northward track.

Cold Arctic air currently in place over the Mid Atlantic region and New England will ensure whatever precipitation occurs will be snow, except for the storm's easternmost fringe where Long Island's tail and Cape Cod may experience a wintry mix of snow and rain, forecasters said.

Seas will be rough, marine forecasters said, with gale warnings in effect across the seaboard into the Gulf of Maine. Wave heights could reach 20 feet.

Travel will be challenging from eastern Virginia up through Maine on Saturday and Sunday. The NWS urges all holiday travelers to plan accordingly. Residents are encouraged to monitor the storm through NOAA Weather Radio or their usual media sources and be extremely weather conscious over the New Year's holiday.

Relevant Web Sites
UPS AND DOWNS MARK YEAR IN WEATHER FOR 2000, NOAA SAYS
FORECASTERS UPDATE WINTER 2000-01 OUTLOOK

2000 IN REVIEW: THE YEAR BEGAN WITH RECORD WARMTH IN THE U.S. AND ENDS WITH COLDER THAN NORMAL TEMPERATURES ACROSS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY
Annual U.S. and Global Temperatures Remain Well above Average

The following National Weather Service Web sites are available to provide up-to-the-minute winter weather information.

Current winter storm watches, warnings and temperatures across the United States

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center — Winter Outlook 2000-2001

National forecasts that extend from three to 14 days in advance

Winter weather safety and preparedness tips to handle snow, ice, wind and bitter cold temperatures

Map showing the latest conditions over the United States

NOAA's Weather Page — includes latest satellite images and weather maps

NOAA's National Weather Service Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services

NOAA's National Weather Service's Hydrometeorological Prediction Center

NOAA ISSUES NATION'S OFFICIAL WINTER OUTLOOK — Initial outlook unveiled October 12, 2000

NOAA Weather Radio

Media Contacts:
Curtis Carey, John Leslie, Susan Weaver, NOAA's National Weather Service, (301) 713-0622 or Bob Chartuk, NOAA's National Weather Service Eastern Region, (631) 244-0166