Tracking Winter Storm Gianna: Nor’easter Bomb Cyclone Could Bring Historic Snowfall to Carolinas

Less than a week after most of the country was pummeled by snow and ice, another winter storm is developing along the East Coast.

Dubbed Winter Storm Gianna by the Weather Channel, a nor'easter storm is poised to intensify into a bomb cyclone by this weekend, with heavy snow, coastal flooding, and strong winds on deck for New England down to the Carolinas.

In fact, according to the AccuWeather forecasts, 6 to 12 inches of snow could fall from Friday to Sunday in Raleigh, NC. 

The last time the city saw that much snow was in 2018, when the city was hit with 7 inches of snow—though the biggest snowstorm on record occurred in late-January 2000, when 20.3 inches of snow fell. 

But North Carolina is far from the only state expected to add to their snow totals this weekend.

Winter Storm Gianna: tracking winter storm path

The National Weather Service Prediction Center advised Thursday that "significant heavy snow" will fall across much of the Southern Appalachians, Carolinas, and Southern Mid-Atlantic Friday into Sunday. "Confidence for snowfall impacts remain lower farther north, with the exception of southeast New England."

According to The Weather Channel's initial forecasts, patches of snow and rain will spread out of the Southern Appalachians into lower elevations of Southern Virginia, North Carolina, Northern South Carolina, and Northeast Georgia as low pressure organizes off the Southeast coast Friday.

By that evening, the intensity of the storm will bring heavier snow and a wintry mix across Georgia and the Carolinas.

By Saturday, the storm will reach bomb cyclone status, which could lead the way for the storm to reach blizzard level conditions by Sunday. 

Sunday is when most of the East Coast will experience the brunt of the storm. 

AccuWeather meteorologists believe the most likely zone in the Northeast for 6 to 12 inches of snow will be in Southeastern Massachusetts, with 3 to 6 inches of snow in store for the rest of Southeastern New England; Long Island, NY; and coastal areas of New Jersey and Delaware.

This system comes literally days after the massive snowfall during Winter Storm Fern—a storm many areas are still digging themselves out of. Cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia saw significant snow accumulations, though the locale with the most snow will likely be spared by this blizzard; Bonito Lake in New Mexico may have seen 31 inches of snow during Fern, but it is well out of the path of Gianna

How to prepare for the storm

Given the amount of notice before this storm, homeowners can accomplish a sizable amount of prep work before the snow hits.

If you’ve depleted your supply last weekend during Winter Storm Fern, it’s a good idea to stock up on salt and/or sand for your walkways and driveways. 

You’ll also want to make sure that your gutters are clear of any debris from the last storm. Most East Coast cities are currently under a deep freeze, with temperatures well below freezing. If your gutters are clogged, you run the risk of ice dams forming, which can flood your home once the warmer temperatures finally return. 

If you haven’t already, make sure all of your outside vents are clear of snow, both old and new. 

And as always, make sure your outdoor and indoor pipes are warm and insulated. A burst pipe is the last thing you’ll want to contend with during a winter storm.