1pm Friday Update: After the 8am update, we are now seeing improving computer weather model agreement.  This agreement spells out a significant snowstorm for not only the Mid-Atlantic (NC, ND, DE, NJ) but also for the I-95 corridor from Philly to New York City to perhaps even Providence and Boston.We are already highly confident that Washington, D.C. and Baltimore will see major snow accumulations.Now our confidence is growing for quite a disruptive snowfall farther north along the I-95 corridor.  Six inches or more is looking more and more likely for both Philadelphia and New York City.The forecast is still uncertain for southern New England but cities such as Providence and Boston may get into the thick of things Saturday afternoon through much of Sunday morning.In all, from the mountains of North Carolina to eastern Massachusetts, this winter storm as the potential to impact as many as 50 million people before everything is said and done.8am Friday Update: Computer weather models are not in complete agreement at this hour.  The event is within 12 hours from beginning in the Southeast (SC, NC) so let’s go with where our confidence is highest.There will be a major snow event for western and central North Carolina.  There will be a major snow event for nearly the entire state of Virginia. Washington, DC – this is still a major snowstorm for you.  Delaware, you are in the snow crosshairs too.South Jersey, get ready for a plowable snow.This is where things get tricky.  Does the winter storm take more of an easterly track and move away from the big Northeast cities of the I-95 corridor.Or does the winter storm, intensify into an even more powerful storm, head north and produce blizzard conditions for Philadelphia, New York City and eventually Boston.That is the major question of the morning.  We still don’t have a concrete answer.  But we’ll continue to follow the latest updates through the morning.In the meantime winter storm warnings and watches are plastered across the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Northeast.A blizzard watch is in effect for Long Island. 

• Tim Ballisty