NORTH CAROLINA — A dramatic split between two major forecast models is raising eyebrows in the meteorological community, with one projecting over 30 inches of snow near Washington, D.C., while another shows only light, melting snowfall across the same region.
Euro Model Shows Limited Snowfall for D.C.
The 06z European model (ECMWF) depicts a relatively modest snowfall outcome across the Mid-Atlantic. Totals around Washington, D.C. and much of central Maryland remain near 1 inch or less, with slightly higher accumulations confined to northern areas.
Across parts of Pennsylvania and into New York, snowfall increases modestly, but the core Mid-Atlantic urban corridor from D.C. through Baltimore shows limited accumulation in this solution.
This scenario would imply either a warmer storm track, quicker changeover to rain, or a more offshore system limiting heavy snow development inland.
GFS Paints a Much Different Picture
In stark contrast, the 12z GFS model delivers a much more aggressive solution. The model projects a significant snowfall bullseye centered near Washington, D.C., with widespread totals exceeding 30 inches in parts of Maryland and northern Virginia…