New England’s cold continues, with wind chills below zero for many this morning. Even though the wind isn’t quite as intense as Monday’s gusts, it will still pack a punch today with gusts up to 40-45 mph. The good news? No major storms in sight for the rest of the week, and yes—we may finally get a storm-free weekend! Danielle has your Noyes’ Noyes for today & Matt shares Insights through the upcoming weekend and his thoughts on the next 2 weeks in Pattern Predictions!
The bitter Arctic outbreak that has gripped much of the central and eastern U.S. continues today, bringing life-threatening cold, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions. Wind chills as low as -60°F in parts of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest make outdoor exposure extremely hazardous, with frostbite possible in minutes. The Arctic air continues to plunge southward, reaching the southern Plains and Gulf Coast by midweek, with record-breaking cold temperatures expected across a vast portion of the country.
Meanwhile, a winter storm is spreading snow and ice from the central Plains into the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. A swath of heavy snow (6-10 inches) is expected from Kansas to Missouri, while freezing rain and sleet will create treacherous conditions from Oklahoma into northern Mississippi and Tennessee. As this system moves eastward tonight into Wednesday, wintry weather will spread into the Mid-Atlantic, bringing accumulating snow to Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula, with significant icing concerns across North Carolina.
In the Northeast, lake-effect snow will persist east of the Great Lakes, while the entire region remains locked in the deep freeze. By Wednesday night, a developing coastal storm will stay farther offshore, reducing the threat of significant snow for New England. However, some light snow may graze coastal areas of southern New England, especially Cape Cod and the Islands.
On the West Coast, a Pacific storm system is bringing heavy rain and mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. The Cascades and northern Rockies could see several feet of snowfall, creating hazardous mountain travel through midweek.
Looking ahead, the Arctic air mass will remain entrenched across the eastern U.S. through the weekend, with gradual moderation beginning next week. Another potential storm system could impact the East Coast early next week, but details remain uncertain.
The bitter cold continues across New England and Upstate New York, with dangerous wind chills, gusty winds, and persistent lake-effect snow. Strong northwest winds (25-40 mph, gusts 45-50 mph) will keep wind chills well below zero all day, making it feel like -10°F to -20°F inland, and even colder in the higher elevations.
Lake-effect snow remains the main concern today, particularly in western and northern New York, northern Vermont, and portions of the Adirondacks. Snow bands off Lake Ontario and Lake Erie will continue to produce moderate to heavy snow, with additional 6-12 inch accumulations possible east of Lake Ontario and localized totals over 18 inches in the Tug Hill Plateau and western Adirondacks. Blowing and drifting snow will further reduce visibility, making travel hazardous in these areas. Elsewhere, flurries and scattered snow showers may extend into Vermont, western Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, but accumulations should remain light.
Temperatures will struggle to reach the teens and low 20s, and the bitter cold persists into Tuesday night, with lows ranging from -5°F to 10°F and wind chills once again dipping well below zero.
By Wednesday, attention turns to a developing coastal storm, but recent trends suggest it will track farther offshore, reducing the risk of significant snow for southern New England. However, Cape Cod, the Islands, and possibly coastal Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts may still see light snow late Wednesday into Thursday. Any accumulations would be minor (generally 1-3 inches), but gusty northeast winds could still create some travel concerns along the coast.
As this storm exits, cold but calmer weather returns for the end of the week, with temperatures remaining below normal through the weekend. Highs will generally range from the 20s and low 30s, with overnight lows in the teens and single digits inland. While another system may bring scattered snow showers over the weekend, no significant storms are expected at this time.
