According to the blog of Weather Channel senior meteorologist Stu Ostro, the storm formed from "Miller Type B" cyclogenesis: a storm centered over the Ohio river runs into a blocking ridge and redevelops along the Carolina coast.
According to the blog of Weather Channel senior meteorologist Stu Ostro, the storm's formation showed some similarities to the North American blizzard of 2009, though it also had specific differences. This storm was a type "Miller B," which involves a storm over the Ohio river that runs into blocking and redevelops along the Carolina coast.