Winter Storm Forecast to Blanket the Northeast With Snow

A fast-moving winter storm is expected to drop snow across the Northeast on Sunday, with at least half a foot expected from Maryland to Maine, forecasters at the National Weather Service said on Saturday.

The heaviest band of snow is likely to fall north and west of Interstate 95, with up to eight inches possible, according to the Weather Service.

The New York City metropolitan area could receive up to five inches.

Some areas could see snowfall rates of one inch per hour at times.

Heavy lake-effect snow is also expected on the eastern shores of the Great Lakes.

Forecasters said the snowstorm would start in the Appalachian Mountains early on Sunday, move northeast across the region through the day and clear out by Monday morning.

Winter storm watches — issued when hazardous weather is possible within the next day — were in place across the area on Saturday.

Behind the storm is a mass of arctic air, which is expected to bring several days of frigid temperatures to much of the country starting on Monday.

The forecast prompted organizers of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration to move the event indoors.