On Wednesday, February 5, the National Weather Service announced that a new winter storm is expected to bring more snow and strong winds to several U.S. states.
The National Weather Service said: “A supply of arctic air is spreading across the Great Lakes and Northeast early this morning, supporting a period of light snow over the mid-Atlantic. Snowfall should taper off by dawn, but another flurry of light snow and a wintry mix is expected to move from west to east across North Carolina later today state until tonight as the low pressure wave takes some time to move through the region,” adding, “Light snow will move into the Great Lakes on Thursday, along with snow showers and possible snowfall. “Storms over the upper Great Lakes early Friday are a sign of the next strong arctic blast coming from Canada. “
15 states brace for ice, snow and cold
According to the National Weather Service, states that will see additional snow or an “Arctic blast” this weekend include Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas. But that doesn’t mean there’s going to be a lot of new snow. Weather experts expect up to five inches of snowfall, but combined with the snowfall these areas have already experienced, even a small amount could cause damage.
As for wind, gusts of 30-40 mph are possible from the Great Lakes to the Ohio Valley on Friday, February 6. By Saturday, February 7, wind speeds are expected to reach 50-55 mph in the Northeast and New England.
Even sunny Florida is about to experience some winter changes. By Friday morning, February 6, “cold air will be blowing all the way across the Sunshine State, where temperatures are typically in the 30s and 40s, and below freezing in the Florida Panhandle,” the National Weather Service said.
Elsewhere, a low pressure system is expected to bring rain and thunderstorms to the south and southeast. “A cold front moving southwest from the low pressure center this morning will keep these showers and thunderstorms moving steadily from west to east across the Gulf Coast and then across much of the Southeast into tonight,” the National Weather Service said.
Meteorological experts say help is coming
The good news for those who are tired of the snow and cold is that the weather will soon be warming up. Above-normal temperatures are expected across much of the United States from February 11 to 17, according to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8- to 14-day forecast.
The Climate Prediction Center’s mid-February map shows temperatures above normal everywhere except the Far West, which includes California and the far western reaches of Nevada and Arizona. The center’s long-range forecasts (one to three months) predict average weather for much of the United States.
So, the wait for warmer weather is almost over. Don’t expect the weather to get warmer and hotter, but arctic air is gradually leaving the United States, at least for now.
This article was originally published by Men’s Journal on February 4, 2026, and first appeared in the News section. Click here to add Men’s Diary as your go-to source.
