Any leftover snow showers in far southeastern New England depart with a few slicks spots in their wake – as weak area of high pressure builds into the region. Seasonable temperatures, bright skies and light winds make today a pleasant winter one regionwide. But as Danielle explains in the video, there’s plenty of active weather in the days to come. Read on for the National and Northeast weather summaries.
National Weather Summary:
Arctic Blast Deepens Across the Nation A powerful Arctic cold front continues to push across the central and eastern United States, ushering in the coldest air of the season. The Plains, Midwest, and Great Lakes regions are experiencing wind chills of -30°F or colder, posing significant frostbite and hypothermia risks for exposed skin. This Arctic air is set to expand across the eastern U.S. by the weekend, with temperatures 15-35°F below seasonal norms, while subzero wind chills are anticipated as far south as the southern Plains and Ohio Valley.
Snow Squalls and Wintry Conditions Snow squalls are accompanying the Arctic front, with bursts of heavy snow reducing visibility and creating hazardous travel conditions from the Rockies into the northern Plains. Meanwhile, lake-effect snow will ramp up along the Great Lakes, particularly in the Tug Hill Plateau and western New York, where snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour may occur.
Wintry Mix and Rain for the Southeast The frontal boundary will also bring showers and isolated thunderstorms to the Southeast, with localized heavy rain possible across southern Georgia and northern Florida on Saturday. A Marginal Risk for excessive rainfall is in place, although flooding concerns remain localized.
Calm Weather Along the West Coast The West Coast remains largely unaffected by this Arctic outbreak, with near-average temperatures and dry weather prevailing through the weekend.
Northeast Weather Story:
Chilly Start to the Day, Followed by Wintry Showers
The Northeast begins Friday under seasonably cold conditions as a ridge of high pressure briefly builds overhead. However, snow showers and flurries will persist into the morning across northern New York and Vermont, fueled by lake-effect moisture. Accumulations will be minor, generally under an inch.
Weekend Warm-Up and Rain Showers
The calm conditions will be short-lived as a strong cold front advances toward the region on Saturday. Increasing southerly winds will bring a noticeable warm-up, with high temperatures climbing into the 40s across the valleys and even touching 50°F in southern New England. Snow showers in northern areas will transition to rain, especially for southern and coastal zones, as the warmer air dominates. Rainfall amounts will be modest, generally under a quarter of an inch, but slippery conditions may develop on untreated surfaces as temperatures fluctuate.
Arctic Air and Sunday Night/Monday Storm Potential
A secondary cold front will push through on Sunday, allowing for temperatures to drop from north to south, as the colder air filters into the Northeast. An wave of low pressure will develop along this boundary Sunday night into Monday bringing a period of accumulating snow, perhaps mixed with rain in southeastern New England depending on the track and intensity. Plowable snow is likely, and amounts will be finetuned in the coming days. Behind this system, an Arctic outbreak that will bring the coldest air of the season by early next week, with highs struggling to break the teens in many areas and dangerously low wind chills.
