National Weather Summary
An active winter weather pattern remains in place across the northern U.S., while record warmth persists in the South. A winter storm that recently impacted the Northeast will continue moving offshore, leaving behind cold, blustery conditions and locally heavy lake-effect snow east of Lakes Superior and Ontario. Meanwhile, another Pacific storm system is moving inland, bringing heavy precipitation to northern California, the Sierra Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest. This marks the final storm in a series that has significantly increased precipitation totals along the West Coast. Once this system moves inland by early Friday, drier conditions are expected to settle into California for the next week.
As the storm shifts inland, heavy snow will spread across the Northern Rockies before advancing into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest Friday night into Saturday. This system has the potential to drop 6-12 inches of snow in the Northern Rockies, with 4-6 inches extending eastward into the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley. By Saturday night and into Sunday, snow will push into the Northeast, setting the stage for another impactful winter storm there.
While winter weather dominates much of the northern U.S., warm and springlike conditions will persist across the Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, Southeast, and Florida. Many locations have seen record-breaking warmth over the past few days, with more records expected Friday and through the weekend. Highs will remain in the 70s and 80s across much of the South, with some spots in Central and South Texas potentially exceeding 90°F.
Looking ahead, a pattern shift will bring heavy rain to the Southeast early next week, along with a renewed threat for snow and ice from the Central Plains to the Northeast. Meanwhile, colder-than-normal temperatures will spread from the Northern Rockies into the central U.S., reinforcing winter’s grip in those regions.
Northeast Weather Story
A fast-moving winter storm has exited the region, leaving behind cold and blustery conditions across the Northeast. Strong northwest winds will persist throughout the day, with gusts of 30-40 mph likely, especially across higher terrain and along the coast. The combination of fresh snow cover and gusty winds will lead to areas of blowing and drifting snow, particularly in northern New York and northern New England.
Lake-effect snow will be the primary weather story for much of Friday, with snow bands developing east of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. A persistent band of lake-effect snow is expected to impact the Tug Hill Plateau, where localized snowfall totals could reach or exceed a foot through Saturday. Areas from central New York into the western Adirondacks will see lighter accumulations of 2-6 inches, while upslope snow showers will bring light accumulations to the Green and White Mountains.
Temperatures will remain cold, with highs struggling to reach the 20s across much of northern New York and northern New England. Southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic will see highs in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Wind chills will make it feel even colder, with subzero values possible in the higher elevations.
Attention then turns to the next winter storm, which will approach the region Saturday night into Sunday. A fast-moving low-pressure system will track from the Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic, before rapidly intensifying off the New England coast. This system is expected to bring a swath of accumulating snow to much of the Northeast, with current projections favoring 6+ inches of snow from the Capital District of New York through interior southern New England, including the Berkshires, Worcester Hills, and into southern New Hampshire and Maine. The heaviest snowfall rates are expected late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, with snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour possible. Along the immediate southern New England coastline, some mixing with sleet or rain may limit accumulations.
By Sunday afternoon, the storm will pull away, leaving behind cold and blustery conditions. Snow showers will linger across northern New England, while another round of lake-effect snow develops downwind of Lake Ontario.
The active winter pattern looks to continue into next week, with another system potentially bringing snow to the region by Tuesday or Wednesday. In the meantime, expect a break in the wintry weather Sunday night into Monday before the next storm system arrives.