Matt Noyes tells us a busy wind will be a hallmark of the coming days, though some days it’s a chilly wind and others a mild one. Today? The chilly variety, setting us up for a bit of snow tonight, even though some see high temperatures in the 40s this afternoon. Matt has full details on the next 24 hours (plus a little extra on the snow accumulation forecast to get us to midday Saturday) in this video!
A dynamic weather pattern unfolds across the nation as multiple systems bring a mix of winter weather, temperature swings, and fire weather concerns.
A strong clipper system sweeping through the Great Lakes into the Northeast is the primary feature today, producing moderate to heavy snow from northern Michigan into upstate New York and New England. Snowfall rates of 1–2 inches per hour are possible in the heaviest bands, particularly in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern New York, and the higher terrain of New England. This system will also usher in a strong cold front, reinforcing colder air and generating lake-effect snow behind it into Saturday.
Meanwhile, another round of much colder-than-normal temperatures is expected across the Central Plains and Midwest, where highs will be 10–20°F below average. In contrast, above-average warmth builds across the southern and central Plains, with highs reaching well into the 60s and 70s. This warm, dry air combined with gusty winds leads to an Elevated Fire Weather Risk across portions of the Northern and Southern Plains.
In the West, a weakening Pacific storm will bring scattered showers and mountain snow to California, especially late Friday into Saturday. However, moisture levels remain modest, keeping precipitation totals relatively low. The Pacific Northwest will also see increasing rain chances as a cold front approaches on Saturday night.
Looking ahead, the storm system departing the Northeast this weekend will set the stage for a new, more impactful system early next week. This will likely bring a risk of severe weather and heavy rainfall to the Lower Mississippi Valley and Mid-South on Tuesday before shifting into the eastern U.S. midweek. Strong winds and potential flooding from heavy rain on top of snowpack will be key concerns in the Northeast by Wednesday and Thursday.
A potent clipper system moving through the Great Lakes will bring a period of moderate to heavy snow across northern New York and New England from Friday night into Saturday. The heaviest snowfall is expected across the Adirondacks, the Green and White Mountains, and northern Maine, where 4–8 inches of snow is likely, with localized amounts nearing a foot. Snowfall rates of 1–2 inches per hour will be possible at times, leading to difficult travel conditions.
Ahead of the system, temperatures will briefly moderate on Friday with highs in the upper 30s to mid-40s across most of the region. However, a strong cold front will bring much colder air by Saturday, leading to falling temperatures and a sharp freeze for any wet surfaces. Snow squalls are possible along the front, especially in upstate New York and interior New England.
Impacts by Region:
By Sunday, cold air locks in with highs struggling to reach the 20s in northern areas and 30s south, while gusty northwest winds will make it feel even colder. Dry conditions will persist through early next week, but a major storm system midweek could bring heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flooding as snowmelt combines with new rainfall.
With rapidly changing conditions expected over the next several days, travelers should plan ahead for hazardous road conditions, especially in northern areas, and be prepared for rapidly falling temperatures behind the cold front.
