After weeks of elevated fire danger and persistent drought, New England is finally set to see much-needed rain on Thursday. This storm marks an important shift in our weather pattern, with more active conditions likely in the coming weeks. While rain will dominate the story for most of the region, colder air filtering in late Friday into Saturday will bring snow to the mountains, offering a first glimpse of winter for northern New England.
Rain arrives early Thursday morning, first impacting western New England around 6-8 a.m. before spreading eastward through the morning commute. This rain is much needed, with totals expected to range between 0.75 to 1 inch for most of the region. While this won’t erase the drought, it’s a meaningful start toward replenishing our dry soils and reducing fire danger.
Motorists should take extra caution Thursday morning. After such a prolonged dry spell, oil and grime have built up on roadways, and the initial rain will bring these slick substances to the surface, creating hazardous driving conditions. Motorcyclists, in particular, should be vigilant. Expect reduced traction on wet roads, especially during the first few hours of rainfall.
As the storm center slowly exits New England, colder air begins to filter into northern areas. Rain will taper off for most of southern New England by late Thursday night, but lingering precipitation in northern and higher-elevation regions may begin to mix with snow early Friday morning.
For ski enthusiasts eagerly awaiting signs of winter, Friday’s precipitation will likely remain limited to rain in valleys and lower elevations, but areas above 2,000 feet—especially in Vermont’s Green Mountains and New Hampshire’s White Mountains—may start to see wet snowflakes mixing in. By Friday night, summit snow will increase, setting the stage for better accumulations through the weekend.
Saturday brings a shot of wintry conditions to the Northern Mountains. Colder air deepens in northern New England, allowing snow to fall and accumulate there.
The weekend ends on a quieter note as the storm system fully exits the region. Sunday will bring seasonable temperatures, with highs around 50°F across much of southern New England and 40s to the north. Winds will ease a bit, but still be breezy from the west-northwest at 10-20 mph, providing a cool late November day for outdoor activities.
Thursday’s storm reflects a broader shift in New England’s weather pattern. For weeks, the storm track has been locked over the central U.S., delivering repeated rain and snow to that region while leaving New England dry. Now, the jet stream is beginning to shift eastward, allowing storms to reach our area more regularly. Over the next 14 days, multiple systems could bring at least some additional rain and snow to New England, offering further relief for our drought, keeping brush fire danger contained and giving the North Country more opportunities for at least some limited early-season snowfall, with even more hope in the first half of December!
📲 For personalized forecasts and real-time updates, download the Noyes’ 1DegreeOutside Weather App. Stay ahead of rain, snow, and all the changing conditions New England throws your way.
