Winter’s chill has settled in across New England, and the clear skies tonight offer a double treat for sky enthusiasts. Read on for more including the National and Northeast weather summaries. And watch the video for a special shout-out to the 3rd graders at the Wood End Elementary School! Want an enrichment program of your own? Reach out!
- Gemini Meteor Shower: The annual meteor shower peaks tonight, but the Cold Moon’s light may dim the show just a bit. Look up between midnight and dawn for the best chances of spotting meteors.
- Cold Moon: December’s full moon officially peaks early Sunday morning. Bundle up to enjoy these nighttime spectacles!
National Meteorological Summary
Dynamic Weather Patterns Across the Nation
A deep trough of cold Arctic air continues to dominate the eastern United States, driving temperatures 10–20°F below normal from the Great Lakes to the Northeast. The combination of this frigid air mass and the last vestiges of lake-effect snow will lead to lingering heavy snowfall downwind of Lake Ontario, where accumulations of up to 12–18 inches are possible in the Tug Hill Plateau.
In the West, a series of Pacific storms bring rounds of rain and higher-elevation snow to the Pacific Northwest and California. Northern California is under a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall through Saturday morning as an atmospheric river channels intense moisture inland. Rainfall totals of 3–5 inches, with localized amounts exceeding 7 inches, are possible in the region’s coastal mountains. Snow levels will begin around 5,000 feet but may lower to 4,000 feet as cooler air filters into the region.
Elsewhere, the central and southern Plains are bracing for precipitation late Friday into Saturday. Gulf moisture returning ahead of an advancing system will lead to freezing rain across parts of the Middle Mississippi Valley and snow further north into the Upper Midwest. Ice accumulations exceeding 0.10 inches and moderate snow are expected.
Finally, a large high-pressure system centered over the Great Lakes ensures dry and seasonably cool conditions across much of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Florida remains a bit unsettled with scattered showers along its eastern coast.
Northeast Weather Story
The Northeast remains firmly under the grip of a cold air mass, reinforced by high pressure. Daytime highs will struggle to rise beyond the mid-20s to mid-30s across much of the region, with wind chills making it feel 10–15°F colder. Friday night lows will dip into the teens to low 20s for most areas, with single digits possible across far northern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Lake-effect snow off Lake Ontario remains a key weather driver. A well-organized snow band will continue to impact the Tug Hill Plateau, producing localized totals of 12–18 inches. Lighter snow showers will extend into parts of central and northern New York. While the intensity of snowfall diminishes by Friday evening, slick road conditions and visibility issues will persist throughout the day in the affected areas.
Elsewhere in the Northeast, the combination of active winds and very dry air will dominate. Winds will gradually subside late Friday as the pressure gradient relaxes.
Looking ahead, tranquil but cold conditions persist through Saturday, followed by an approaching system that may bring mixed precipitation to the region starting Sunday night.