Big storm...to our south

When arctic high pressure meets moisture you get snow, plain and simple. A strong area of high pressure currently over Quebec is producing the coldest air of the season with temperatures this morning in Montreal and eastern Ontario colder than -20C at numerous locations. It will "warm" to the minus teens today, but not much better. The weekend looks fair but cold with an increase in cloud cover and possibly a flurrie or two along the US border. The clouds and flurries will be in response to a big winter storm taking shape over northern Florida today. Last night an amazing 7 to 14 inches of rain fell in Broward County alone. The low pressure will deepen rapidly and move east of Washington D.C. late Saturday. Heavy rain along the coast will mix with and change to very heavy snow just inland. Over 2 feet may fall in the mountains of western North Carolin and Virginia with 6 to 12 inches closer to the coast. The snow will be driven by 30-50mph winds in some cases. A slew of warnings are flying this morning from the southeast all the way north to Long Island and southern New England. There is even a Blizzard watch for Long Island. In addition to the heavy precipitation, the wind will create high surf with the potential for coastal flooding and beach erosion. This will be a big and paralyzing storm for many east coast cities so if your travel plans take you there be advised there likely will be major delays and closures. I will update this storm later tonight.