Winter storm forecast will 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, National Weather Service forecasters said Saturday.

The heaviest band of snow will likely fall north and west of Interstate 95, with up to eight inches possible, according to the weather service.

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

Some areas could see snowfall of up to an 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 begin in the Appalachian Mountains early Sunday, move northeast across the region throughout the day and dissipate Monday morning.

Winter storm watches – issued when dangerous weather conditions are possible the next day – were in place Saturday across the region.

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

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