It is that weird, nervous time of year. You’re looking out the window, checking the apps, and wondering if the milk and bread run was actually necessary. Honestly, the forecast for this Sunday, January 18, 2026, is a bit of a head-scratcher because it’s not just one big "snow-pocalypse" hitting the usual suspects. Instead, we’ve got this bizarre, 1,500-mile ribbon of winter stretching all the way from the palm trees of the Florida Panhandle up to the rocky coasts of Maine.
If you're asking how much snow are we getting Sunday, the answer depends entirely on whether you're standing in a South Georgia peach orchard or a South Boston parking lot.
The Big Picture: A Rare Southern "Slush-fest"
Let’s talk about the South first because that’s where things are getting genuinely weird. Meteorologists like Kristian Oliver from the National Weather Service in Tallahassee are watching a rare setup where cold Arctic air is slamming into Gulf moisture. It’s the kind of thing that happens maybe every few years.
In Central Georgia—think Macon and Warner Robins—you’re looking at a legitimate 1 to 3 inches of heavy, wet snow. That might sound like a joke to someone in Buffalo, but for the I-75 and I-16 corridors, it’s enough to turn Sunday morning into a skating rink. The timing is pretty specific, too. Most of the accumulation is expected between 5 AM and 1 PM. If you're in Tallahassee or Crestview, Florida, don't expect a blizzard, but don't be shocked to see a dusting of up to an inch on the grass. It won’t last, but it’ll make for a wild Instagram post.
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Northeast Totals: Slow Burn into Sunday Night
Up in the Tri-State and New England, the story is more traditional but still tricky. New York City is caught in a "First Alert" situation. We aren't looking at a historic burial, but a solid 2 to 5 inches is the consensus for the city, Long Island, and Central Jersey.
The "prime time" for the NYC metro area is 2 PM to 9 PM. Before that, it’s mostly just a cold, gross mix. But once that freezing line shifts offshore, the snow will start coming down at maybe an inch per hour.
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Boston and the Patriots Factor
Then there’s Foxborough. The New England Patriots are playing the Houston Texans at 3 PM today. If you’re heading to Gillette Stadium, the snow is going to be a late bloomer.
- Kickoff: Mostly light, slushy stuff.
- Second Half: Things get real.
- Final Totals: Boston and the surrounding suburbs are looking at 3 to 6 inches by the time you wake up Monday.
The Midwest and the "Blizzard" Threat
While the East Coast deals with the wet, heavy stuff, the Midwest is dealing with the "fluff" and the wind. South-central Minnesota is under a Blizzard Warning starting late Sunday afternoon. We aren't even talking about massive amounts of new snow—maybe only 1 or 2 inches—but the winds are the killer.
With gusts hitting 40 to 55 mph, it doesn't matter how much falls. The existing snow cover is going to blow around and create whiteout conditions. If you're on the roads in west-central Minnesota on Sunday evening, you’re basically driving inside a Ping-Pong ball.
Why the Maps Might Be Lying to You
You've probably seen those colorful maps on Twitter or Facebook showing deep purples and blues. Take them with a grain of salt. This system has a "sharp cutoff." In places like Richmond, Virginia, you might get 3 inches, but 30 miles to the west in Charlottesville, they might see almost nothing.
The temperatures are hovering right around 32°F or 33°F in many areas. That is the "danger zone" for forecasters. If the temp stays at 34°F, it’s just a cold rain. If it drops one degree, you’ve got a slushy mess. In the Mid-Atlantic, places like Virginia Beach and Raleigh are expecting anywhere from a coating to 2 inches, but it all depends on how fast that cold air wins the tug-of-war with the ocean moisture.
Actionable Steps for Sunday Afternoon
The biggest mistake people make with "medium" snowfalls like this is underestimating the freeze. Even if you only get an inch, the temperature is going to crater Sunday night into Monday morning.
- Check the "Refreeze": If you're in Georgia or the Carolinas, the roads will be wet all day Sunday and then turn into solid black ice by 10 PM.
- Clear the Slush Early: In NYC and Philly, this is heavy, water-logged snow. If you wait until Monday morning to shovel, it will be frozen solid. Get it off the sidewalk before sunset.
- Charge Your Tech: In the Midwest, those 70 MPH gusts mentioned in some warnings can easily snap branches. Even a "light" snow can cause power outages when the wind is that violent.
- Watch the "Dry Slot": If the snow suddenly stops in the middle of the afternoon, don't assume it's over. These systems often have a "dry slot" before the back end of the storm hits with its heaviest burst.
Bottom line? Sunday is going to be a mess for travel, especially if you're flying through ATL, JFK, or Logan. Keep the salt handy and stay off the roads once the sun goes down.