Tuesday Insights: Thanksgiving Storm to Feature Huge Elevation Snow Difference

After a quiet Wednesday for most of New England, the Thanksgiving storm is shaping up as an all-day event for New England, with rain dominating in the south and a sharp elevation-based snow gradient central and north. Matt Noyes provides a complete rundown on storm development and details in our Insights Video, posted here!

Rain in the South, Snow in the Mountains

Starting Thanksgiving morning, snow spreads across the Berkshires, Southern Green Mountains, and northern Worcester Hills. Lower elevations will quickly transition to rain, but higher elevations will hold onto snow longer, creating wintry travel conditions in places like the Berkshires and western Vermont, then across more of the Northern half of New England, and perhaps for a time in extreme northern Worcester County.

Southern New England will see mainly rain, with temperatures in the 40s. Gusty winds near the Cape and Boston could top 40 mph, adding to the raw, blustery feel of the holiday.

Elevation Matters

Warm air drawn north with the storm – and weak cold air ahead of it – means there will be extreme elevation differences in snow amounts. Expect:

  • 6–10+ inches in the highest summits of the Berkshires, Green Mountains, and northern White Mountains.
  • Less than 2 inches in the valleys and lower elevations, even in some of northern New England.

By late Thursday, the bulk of the rain has already fallen in Southern New England and showers are leftover.  In the North Country, snow continues into Thursday evening and night.

Friday & Weekend: Icy Patches and Calmer Weather

Overnight lows on Thanksgiving night will hover near freezing, raising the risk of black ice in areas that saw rain and didn’t get enough wind to dry it out – though many of us will see the wind dry the pavement before it hits freezing. By Friday morning, most of New England will see improving weather, though snow showers may linger in the mountains.

Saturday and Sunday bring drier air, with daytime highs in the 40s and a chilly wind.

Track the Storm

This dynamic storm requires close monitoring, particularly for travelers, so download the Noyes’ 1DegreeOutside Weather App for live radar, personalized forecasts, and updates as the storm unfolds.