Developing from a combination of an upper-level low and an area of low-pressure in the Southwestern United States on February 10, the system first brought heavy snow to the Texas Panhandle the following day.

It then moved northeastwards across the Ohio Valley, causing impacts before beginning to consolidate into a more defined low as it approached the East Coast.

The system then began rapid deepening as a nor’easter it moved offshore early on February 13, bringing heavy snowfall to much of the Mid-Atlantic.

The system departed later that day, but not before bringing impacts to Atlantic Canada before peaking and gradually weakening thereafter, eventually dissipating on February 18.

Over 175,000 people across the Northeast lost power, due to the heavy wet nature of the snow, and the nor'easter was responsible for at least one death so far as of February 13.

[3] By February 10, the aforementioned feature began developing in the Southwest, and due to limited cold air, heavy wet snow affected the northern parts of Texas and Oklahoma.

A weak area of low pressure developed along the Gulf Coast and trekked northeastwards throughout February 11–12 across the Southeast as the system as a whole continued eastward.

[5] At that time, precipitation mostly consisted of rain showers and squalls, with isolated wet snow in the colder regions of the atmosphere near the upper-level low.

[10] The system continued to rapidly deepen afterwards as it began impacting Atlantic Canada with heavy snow and gusty winds, peaking at a minimum pressure of 956 mb (28.2 inHg) at 18:00 UTC that day while located south of Nova Scotia.

Morris County residents were advised to think twice before traveling, and snowplows and equipment were loaded with salt to begin pre-treating major roadways such as Interstate 280 that evening.

[21] Parts of the states of Texas and Oklahoma received upwards of over 1 foot (12 in; 30 cm) of heavy wet snow in the storm's precursor stage.

[33] The snow resulted in numerous subways being delayed, changing from express to local or skipping stops, with the Z Train being suspended altogether.