First major winter storm of 2024 could bring heaviest snowfall in TWO YEARS from New York to Washington this weekend - and floods in the South

The East Coast is bracing for the possibility of the heaviest snowfall in two years as a massive winter storm sweeps in, bringing deluges for the south.

A strong coastal storm soaking the West Coast from midweek is expected to dump precipitation from New York to Washington D.C. over the weekend.

Millions of Americans along the Interstate-95 corridor could be facing travel misery due to snow, ice and rain, with Accuweather warning flights may also be affected by 'rapidly deteriorating' conditions.

Homeowners are being warned to ready their snow gear, while officials are being urged to review their adverse weather plans.

After two relatively mild winters for the East Coast, the storm could bring the worst snowfall since the Nor'easter of 2022, which saw drifts of up to 24 inches pile in Boston. 

The first major winter storm of 2024 could bring the first heavy snow to the East Coast since 2022

The storm is due to sweep in from the west first, bringing heavy rain and possible snowfall of up to 12 inches in parts

Snow could fall in some parts of the East Coast for the first time since early 2022 when a Nor'easter storm blew in

Blizzard conditions also blew in 8.5 inches to New York City, while Baltimore got 1.5 inches. 

While it is still too early to say exactly how much snow could pile up this year, higher accumulations have been predicted in northern and western suburbs of New York and Philadelphia. 

Meanwhile, New Jersey could see up to 12 inches, according to Steven DiMartino, meteorologist at NY NJ PA weather.

The southern Rockies and southern Plains are due to be blanketed first on Thursday before the storm strengthens across the Southeast into early Saturday, drawing up moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.

As the storm moves north, it is expected to smack into cold air, potentially causing up to six inches of snow to fall in the interior Northeast and some parts of New England.

'The most significant wintry effects from the storm will be limited to about 12 hours or so from late Saturday into Sunday evening,' said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Courtney Travis.

Travel chaos may even worsen if the storm does not roll out to sea, especially in New England and upstate New York, including the New York Thruway, the Massachusetts Turnpike and portions of I-89, I-91, I-93 and I-95.

Freezing ice could lead to a build up on trees and power lines, according to the forecaster. 

Saturday and Sunday are when the snowfall is most likely, with travelers warned to expect 'rapidly deteriorating' conditions

The first noteworthy storm of the year is expected to impact 20 states from Texas up to New England

Southern states are set to be deluged with flood warnings issued from southeastern and eastern parts of the state eastward to the Florida Panhandle

Meanwhile, southern states are in for a soaking due to an area of low pressure forecast to develop between Houston and New Orleans on Friday, set to deluge the Gulf Coast.

Forecasters in the Big Easy are cautioning up to two inches of rain could fall in the city, while Texans have been warned of downpours and possible thunderstorms.  

Flash flood warnings have been issued from southeastern and eastern parts of the state eastward to the Florida Panhandle.

Air passengers travelling to and from Atlanta are advised to check with their airlines  as heavy rain and gusts threaten delays, especially first thing.

The first noteworthy storm of the year is expected to impact around 20 states in total, from Texas up to New England. 

This weekend's forecast could bring an end to a snow drought in Philadelphia, which has seen not even an inch of snow fall since 2022.

The last major snow storm for the East Coast was during the Nor'easter, which took place that year.

A Nor'easter gets its name from the winds that form over the coastal area of the Northeast.

The last major snowfall for many of the states due to be affected was the Nor'easter storm of 2022, pictured here hitting Washington D.C.

This weekend's forecast could bring an end to a snow drought in Philadelphia, which has seen not even an inch of snow fall since 2022

The storms occur at any time of year but are most frequent and most violent between September and April. 

The phenomenon have wrought some of the most destructive storms in recent history, including the  Boston snowstorms of January and February 2015. 

Past Nor’easters have been responsible for loss of life and billions of dollars of damage.