MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Computer models are beginning to show a clearer picture of the track of the latest and possibly largest winter weather maker of the year so far in 2026.

On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” MetroNews AccuWeather meteorologist Bill Deger said the monster system will impact nearly half of the United States through the weekend.

“I think a good first call for this storm is 6 to 10 inches of accumulation on average across the area,” Deger said. “Now, we’re still more than two days out, and the storm could shift a little bit. We have to watch the exact track, exact temperature, and when the snow comes in as well.”

All of the right conditions are coming together for the system still gaining steam in the Pacific Ocean. Some slight precipitation is expected today, but the system people are talking about should land in the Morgantown area late Saturday afternoon.

“We have the energy moving in from the west, the moisture moving in from the south, and we have a third ingredient—cold air that’s moving in from the north,” Deger said. “We have a cold front working its way through the area today, bringing some snow showers, and there will be another cold front that moves in tomorrow and late tomorrow night.”

Deger explained that as the storm makes the cross-country trek it will have access to plenty of energy and water.

“The storm is approaching the Southern California and western Mexican coast—that’s the energy for the storm,” Deger said. “As it crosses Mexico, the Southwest, and the Southern Plains later this weekend, it will tap into moisture from the Gulf of America and also the Atlantic Ocean.”

The highest totals could be to the west and in the mountains, according to Deger. He said will likely be the most intense winter weather event of the current winter season.

I think the highest totals perhaps end up being across southern parts of Pennsylvania, south-central Pennsylvania, western Maryland, and the West Virginia panhandle, but I think the heaviest totals will be east of the Morgantown/Clarksburg area.”

As for the run to the store, Deger said you’ve got at least 48 hours before the inclement weather arrives.

“Tonight, tomorrow, tomorrow night, and Saturday morning are ok; it’s not until late Saturday around 3 or 4 p.m. when the first flakes start flying,” Deger said.