Today is the most daylight New England has enjoyed since Halloween, and Matt Noyes says we’re gaining two and a half minutes per day! Matt also tells us we have a breather between storms and it’s not going to snow today…for most of us. 🙂 Full details in the video.
A complex weather pattern continues across the nation as multiple systems bring a variety of impacts. A departing storm system off the New England coast will leave behind lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes today into early Tuesday, particularly off Lake Ontario, where locally a foot of snow is possible. Meanwhile, another Arctic high is dropping into the Northern High Plains, bringing well-below-average temperatures across the region. Highs will struggle to get above zero in parts of Montana and the Dakotas, with wind chills plunging even further below. This bitter cold air mass will slowly expand into the central and southern Plains through midweek.
Further south, an active storm track will bring heavy rainfall and the risk of localized flooding across the Lower Mississippi Valley into the Tennessee Valley late Tuesday into Wednesday. A strong upper-level jet will enhance moisture transport, leading to widespread 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rainfall, with isolated areas seeing over 3 inches. Flash flooding is a concern, especially from northern Louisiana into Alabama and Tennessee.
Another developing system will bring wintry weather from the central Plains into the Midwest and Northeast later in the week. Snowfall accumulations from this system are expected from the central Plains through the Ohio Valley and into parts of the Northeast, with the heaviest totals currently forecast for the Great Lakes and interior Northeast. A sharp transition zone between snow and mixed precipitation is likely across the Mid-Atlantic, where sleet and freezing rain could cause travel disruptions.
Out West, another Pacific system is set to impact California later this week, bringing heavy rain and mountain snow to the Sierras. The Pacific Northwest may also see some precipitation this weekend as another system moves inland. Temperatures in the western U.S. will remain below average for much of the week before gradually moderating toward the weekend.
A cold and generally quiet start to the week is in store for the Northeast following the weekend’s coastal storm. Any lingering snowfall is tapering off across northern New England this morning, but lake-effect snow will continue downwind of Lake Ontario, especially across the Tug Hill Plateau, where an additional 6 to 12 inches is possible through early Tuesday. Lake Erie’s lake-effect snow activity will be weaker but could still drop a few inches across northwest Pennsylvania and western New York.
Temperatures today will be below average, with highs in the 20s across northern New England and the interior, while southern areas, including the Mid-Atlantic, will see highs in the 30s. A brisk northwest wind will make it feel even colder.
Tuesday will see the approach of a weak system from the Midwest. This will bring the chance for snow showers, particularly across northern and western New England, but accumulations will be light—generally under an inch. A more significant system then arrives Wednesday night into Thursday. A developing low-pressure system will track west of the region, drawing in milder air and setting the stage for a messy mix of precipitation. Northern areas, particularly across upstate New York and northern New England, will likely see accumulating snow, while areas farther south—including southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic—are more likely to see a wintry mix transitioning to rain.
Colder air returns behind this system on Friday, with the potential for lake-effect snow and gusty northwest winds. Looking ahead to next weekend, another storm may take aim at the region, with early indications suggesting a track that could bring widespread snowfall. However, forecast details remain uncertain, and trends will need to be monitored closely.
The bottom line: A quiet but cold start to the week will give way to an active stretch of weather with multiple systems bringing snow, mixed precipitation, and rain mid-to-late week. Travelers should stay updated on evolving forecasts, especially with the potential for impactful winter weather by midweek.
