National Weather Summary
A broad low-pressure system will continue moving eastward across the western and central United States, bringing widespread mountain snow and a swath of moderate to heavy snowfall across the north-central Plains through Friday. Snowfall totals of up to a foot are possible from the northern Rockies into the Midwest, including parts of Iowa and northern Illinois. Further south, strong winds and dry conditions will maintain critical fire weather concerns across eastern and southern New Mexico into western Texas.
In the East, a deep low pressure system slowly exiting into the Canadian Maritimes will usher in colder and drier air across the region. The wraparound moisture will continue producing light to moderate snow across northern Maine, while lake-enhanced snow showers will persist in the Great Lakes and Appalachian regions. Winds will remain strong across much of the Northeast, with gusts potentially exceeding 50 mph at times, contributing to areas of blowing snow and hazardous travel conditions.
Further south, a developing low-pressure system will bring rain and embedded thunderstorms to Texas and Louisiana by Saturday, with locally heavy rainfall possible along the Gulf Coast. Meanwhile, out West, another Pacific storm system will approach California, bringing increasing chances for rain in coastal areas and heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada by the weekend.
Northeast Weather Story
A powerful low-pressure system pulling away from New England will continue to influence the region on Friday, delivering strong winds, lake-enhanced snow, and lingering precipitation across northern Maine. Behind this system, much colder air will spill into the region, dropping temperatures back to near or below seasonal averages. Highs on Friday will range from the 20s in the mountains to the upper 30s to near 40°F in southern New England, but strong winds will make it feel much colder.
Key Impacts:
- Wind: Strong northwest winds will gust 40-50 mph across much of the region, with the potential for isolated gusts over 55 mph in the Berkshires, Worcester Hills, and the higher terrain of northern New England. Wind Advisories are in effect for much of the Northeast, with some areas under High Wind Warnings. These winds may cause scattered power outages and tree damage, especially in areas with softened soil from recent heavy rain and snowmelt.
- Snow & Blowing Snow: Lake-effect and upslope snow showers will persist across the Adirondacks, Green Mountains, and higher elevations of northern New England. Snowfall totals of 1-3 inches are expected in these areas, with localized amounts over 4 inches in favored locations. The combination of strong winds and falling snow will create periods of reduced visibility, particularly in northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
- Coastal & Marine Conditions: Gale-force winds continue to batter the coastal waters, with waves of 7-12 feet offshore. Mariners should be prepared for rough seas through at least early Saturday.
Looking ahead to the weekend, temperatures will remain below normal on Saturday with continued breezy conditions, though winds will gradually subside. Sunday will mark the start of a warming trend, with highs climbing into the 40s and 50s by early next week. A weak system may bring scattered snow showers to northern areas late Sunday into Monday, but no significant storms are on the horizon. By midweek, a much milder air mass is expected to take hold, bringing a taste of spring to the Northeast.