Upon Storm expected to bring 20+ inches of snow to NortheastDecember 19, 2009
Another massive dose of winter weather on tap Saturday along East Coast
Parts of Washington, D.C. area could see more than 20 inches of snow
Severe weather may delay crucial vote on defense spending bill in Senate
(CNN) -- Frigid East Coast states already blanketed with snow will get pummeled again Saturday with predictions of more than 20 inches in some areas.
Blizzard and winter storm warnings were in effect Saturday for metropolitan areas including Washington; Baltimore, Maryland; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to the National Weather Service.
The storm comes at a pivotal time for Washington, an area that is expected to be walloped by as much as 22 inches of snow. The Senate is scheduled to have a vote on a defense spending bill Saturday morning.
The vote will clear the way for the Senate to continue the contentious battle over the health care reform bill. But wintry conditions could delay commutes for lawmakers Saturday.
Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said the city will be enacting a snow emergency plan, which will include 750 staff members working around the clock and 330 trucks out on the streets.
"We think this will be the biggest snowfall since 2003," Fenty said during a news conference, referring to a blizzard that dumped about 27 inches in the area.
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Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency Friday as the icy conditions caused more than 335 crashes.
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Other southeastern states were also battered by the storm.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said it had received more than 1,000 calls to assist in crashes or motorists stranded in 8 inches of snow.
The storm was expected to taper off in parts of North Carolina on Saturday, the weather service said. However, a winter storm warning will remain in effect Saturday into the evening.
Forecasters expected as much as 8 more inches of snow in parts of central North Carolina.
Air travelers en route to holiday destinations may face delays, said Tammy Jones, spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA said it may institute a ground-delay program if air travel conditions warrant. In such a case, the FAA informs the airlines at a certain airport that they will have to stay on the ground for a period of time, Jones said.
"Snow's not so significant if you're in the air, but on the ground, it can be problematic," Jones said.
Several airlines have issued travel alerts allowing for free rebooking of flights because of the storm. Some flights for the weekend have been canceled.
