New England is turning cold, but the real excitement for winter enthusiasts is what MAY be waiting just around the corner. From December 20th onward, a major atmospheric shift opens the door to sustained cold and multiple snow chances, says Matt Noyes, in today’s Insights video. This isn’t new – it’s been a consistent signal Matt’s been picking up on and shared with us first in our 14-day “Pattern Predictions” video back on Monday.
Short-Term Outlook: Chilly and Quiet
- Friday: Cool, wintry air with a light northwest breeze (10-15 mph). Overnight lows dip into the teens.
- Saturday: Sunny and quieter wind, highs in the low-to-mid 30s. A great day to enjoy the outdoors!
- Sunday: Clouds increase ahead of the next system, but precipitation holds off.
Much of Next Week: Snow North, Rain South
The first storm of a busy weather pattern that begins next week arrives Monday, but warmer air limits snow to northern New England.
- Northern half of New England: A mix of snow and rain, with accumulating snow likely in the mountains and North Country.
- Southern half of New England: Likely to see primarily rain as temperatures rise.
- Tuesday and Thursday: Additional disturbances move through New England, all probably favoring snow or mix north and rain south, but, of course, we’ll work on the finer details as we get closer.
The Big Shift: Cold and Snow Much More Favorable After December 20th
A major atmospheric pattern change means we’re quite likely to see dramatically increased cold and snow chances.
- Cross-Polar Flow: Cold air from Siberia moves across the North Pole and plunges into North America.
- Key Date: By December 20th, cold air entrenches in New England with disturbances ripe for storm development.
- Snow Potential: Multiple disturbances are lined up, with storm tracks certainly favoring snow for much of the region, though Matt notes near-surface warmth, particularly near the ocean – or spikes of warmth into Southern New England at large – can’t be ruled out…but also are far less likely if the pattern evolves as it looks now.
How to Stay Informed
Get daily updates, including our 14-day forecast, in the Noyes’ 1DegreeOutside Weather app. Download for free on the App Store and Google Play. Stay connected on social media and at 1DegreeOutside.com.
