We have to get through wind chills below zero today, but forecasters have their sights on a major snowstorm, and possibly even a blizzard, that could hit the East Coast from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia and around New York City are among other areas that could receive heavy snow from the storm.

The exact track of the storm will hold the key as to which areas in mid-Atlantic and New England are hit with heavy snow, dangerous highway travel and scores of flight delays and cancellations during Friday into Saturday. One to 2 feet of snow are possible.

Storm impacts

If the storm develops to its full potential and takes a track just off the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts, then a blizzard can unfold. The storm could shut down highways and perhaps cause airports to close.

This is the type of storm that is likely to produce a very heavy rate of snow.

In the swath of heaviest snow, motorists who venture out during the storm could become stranded.

Thunder and lightning could accompany the heavy snow in some coastal locations.

As the storm strengthens near the coast, winds will increase, and blowing and drifting snow will develop.

The storm

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson, "Should the storm continue northeastward, rather than turn more to the east at the last minute, New York City, Boston, Providence, Rhode Island, and Hartford, Connecticut, would also be buried in snow."

Exactly how much snow accumulates will depend on the amount of, if any rain mixing in.

In either case, little to no snow would likely fall over northwestern Pennsylvania, upstate New York and northern New England, Anderson stated.

Snowfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour are possible.

There is the potential for the hardest-hit areas to receive 1-2 feet of snow from the storm, where rain does not mix in.

A shift in the storm track by 50-100 miles farther north would allow precipitation to become mixed with or change to rain in the I-95 corridor. A more northerly track would push the heaviest snow across the central and northern Appalachians.

Should the storm take a more southerly track, mostly snow would fall from western and northern North Carolina and southern Virginia to southern New Jersey. The I-95 swath and the northern and western suburbs from Washington, D.C., to Boston might be spared the worst from the storm in this case.

Here's the forecast for today and beyond:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 24. Wind chill values as low as -3. Northwest wind 11 to 18 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 15. Northwest wind 11 to 17 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow showers before 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Friday: A chance of snow after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday: Snow. High near 30. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36.