A potent storm will sweep through today bringing heavy rain, gusty winds, and a flip to snow for some by this evening. With temperatures still around 32 in some spots of northern New England early this morning, expect icy spots and some slippery travel on anything untreated particularly away from the coast of Maine until mid to late morning with pockets of freezing rain (trace to 0.1″). Danielle breaks down all the details in the video above & read on for the National and Northeast weather summary.
National Meteorological Summary:
An active weather pattern dominates much of the U.S. today, with heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, Arctic air, and strong winds impacting multiple regions.
- Eastern U.S.: A powerful storm system is bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the East Coast, with rainfall totals of 1-3 inches expected from the Southeast through New England. Thunderstorms along the eastern Carolinas have a potential for damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes, with a Slight Risk issued by the Storm Prediction Center. Meanwhile, colder air filtering in behind the system changes rain to snow across the central Appalachians and portions of interior New England tonight, producing modest snow accumulations.
- Great Lakes & Midwest: A surge of Arctic air will produce another round of significant lake-effect snow. Heavy bands of snow downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario could lead to localized totals of 1-2 feet through Thursday. Strong winds across the region will exacerbate hazardous travel conditions, with subzero wind chills in parts of the Upper Midwest.
- Southern U.S.: While heavy rainfall diminishes across the Gulf Coast, mild and humid conditions prevail ahead of the advancing cold front. Showers and isolated storms are possible, especially in Florida, but severe weather risk lessens as the day progresses.
- Western U.S.: High pressure dominates, with generally dry conditions across the region. A new storm system approaches the Pacific Northwest by late Thursday, bringing rain and snow to Washington and Oregon. Snow is expected to increase in the Cascades and Sierra Nevada, with travel impacts likely in higher passes.
- Temperature Outlook: Below-normal temperatures persist in the eastern U.S., with highs struggling to reach the 30s and 40s across much of the Midwest and Northeast. Conversely, the Plains and Rockies will experience milder conditions, with highs in the 50s and 60s in the central and southern Plains.
Northeast Weather Story:
A powerful storm system is bringing widespread impacts to the Northeast today, ranging from heavy rain and strong winds to flooding and a transition to wintry precipitation.
- Heavy Rain and Flooding: Rainfall totals of 1.5 to 3 inches are forecast for much of southern New England, with isolated higher amounts in coastal and urban areas. A Flood Watch is in effect for parts of western New England, where heavy rain and snowmelt may contribute to minor to moderate river flooding. Poor drainage areas will be especially vulnerable to urban flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Rainfall rates of 1 inch per hour are possible during the afternoon and evening as a narrow band of heavy rain and embedded thunderstorms moves through.
- Strong to Damaging Winds: A potent southerly low-level jet will produce strong winds across the region, with gusts of 50-60 mph expected, especially along coastal and higher terrain areas of southern New England. High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories are in effect. Winds may result in downed trees, power outages, and travel disruptions. Winds shift to the west behind the cold front tonight, maintaining gusty conditions into Thursday.
- Transition to Snow: Colder air surging in behind the storm will change rain to snow in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and northern New England late this evening. Accumulations of 2-5 inches are possible in higher elevations, with localized amounts up to 8 inches in the western Adirondacks and Green Mountains. Lake-effect snow will develop late Wednesday into Thursday, producing heavy snowfall in western New York.
- Late-Week Outlook: Thursday will be much colder, with highs only in the 20s and 30s and wind chills in the teens. Lake-effect snow will persist downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario, with several inches of additional accumulation possible. Drier conditions return by Friday as high pressure builds into the region.
