New England will experience another round of unsettled weather with periods of rain in most areas and light to moderate snow confined to northern New England. While widespread impacts will be limited, localized travel concerns could arise with elevation, particularly during the transition to colder air tonight. Behind the system, colder and drier air will set the stage for a more wintry pattern late in the week.
National Weather Summary
- Pacific Northwest: Continued unsettled weather from a strong atmospheric river event, bringing heavy rain to the coastal ranges and mountain snow to the Cascades and northern Rockies. Snow levels will fluctuate.
- Northern Plains/Upper Midwest: A clipper system will spread snow and wintry conditions, with accumulations likely in North Dakota, northern Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
- Southern Plains to Tennessee Valley: A slow-moving frontal system will trigger thunderstorms and areas of heavy rainfall. A marginal risk of severe weather exists, including strong winds and isolated tornadoes, especially in parts of Tennessee and Kentucky.
- Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: Low pressure will bring rain across much of the region, with snowfall confined to the higher elevations of Upstate New York and northern New England.
- Temperatures: Most of the lower 48 will see above-average temperatures, particularly in the Southwest, where record highs may occur. Arctic air begins to edge south into the Northern Plains later today.
Northeast Weather Story
Overview
An active weather pattern will impact the Northeast as a fast-moving frontal system moves through today into tonight. Rain will overspread the region from southwest to northeast, with snow limited to the higher elevations of Upstate New York and northern New England. A sharp rain/snow gradient will develop as temperatures remain marginal for snow in valley locations.
- Precipitation Timing: Rain will arrive in western New York and Pennsylvania by Wednesday afternoon and spread into New England through the evening. Rain will be steady, with embedded periods of moderate intensity, but will taper off from west to east by early Thursday morning (3-5AM for most).
- Snowfall: Snowfall will occur primarily in the Adirondacks, Green Mountains, White Mountains, and higher elevations of interior Maine. A few inches of accumulation (generally 2-4 inches) is possible in these areas, with localized higher amounts over the summits. In valleys, precipitation will remain rain due to warm surface temperatures.
- Wind: Breezy conditions will accompany the system, with southwest winds gusting 20-30 mph in the lower elevations and up to 40 mph along ridgetops.
- Temperatures: Highs will range from the mid-40s to low 50s in southern New England and coastal areas, while northern New York and New England will see highs in the mid to upper 30s. As precipitation ends Wednesday night, colder air will filter in behind the front, allowing temperatures to drop into the 20s and low 30s, with potential for refreezing in untreated areas.
Impacts
- Travel: Roads in the higher terrain of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine could become slick Wednesday night, especially as rain transitions to snow. For major cities and the I-95 corridor, rain will be the primary concern, with reduced visibility and ponding on roadways.
- Aviation: MVFR to IFR conditions are likely Wednesday evening across much of the region, particularly along and north of the low-pressure track. Improving conditions are expected late Wednesday night as the system exits.
- Marine Interests: Southwest winds will build seas to 5-7 feet over the Gulf of Maine, necessitating Small Craft Advisories through tonight. Winds shift northwest overnight as the front moves offshore.
