It’s a mild end to 2024 as temperatures climb into the 40s and 50s across New England for New Year’s Eve. Rain moves in just in time for the ball drop in southern New England, so pack an umbrella! Danielle has the latest timing, amounts and NYE forecast in the video.
National Weather Summary
A Cooling Trend and Active Weather Continue Across the Nation
A cooling trend persists nationwide as colder air advances from the West to the East. While conditions in the central and western U.S. are mostly quiet, active weather is expected across the Eastern Seaboard and the Great Lakes regions.
- Northeast: A potent low-pressure system will move through, bringing widespread rain and strong winds to the Northeast. As the system lifts into Canada, colder air will spill southward, prompting lake-effect snow across the Great Lakes and Northern Appalachians through midweek.
- Midwest/Great Lakes: Light snow is likely across parts of the Midwest on Tuesday, with lake-effect snow ramping up by late Tuesday night as cold northwesterly winds blow over the relatively warmer waters of the Great Lakes.
- Western U.S.: The Pacific Northwest will remain unsettled with mountain snow and scattered rain showers, especially in the Cascades and northern Rockies. Farther south, high winds in Southern California and the Great Basin elevate fire weather concerns.
- Southern U.S.: While most of the region remains dry, the eastern Gulf Coast may see some light rain showers near a lingering frontal boundary. Temperatures remain mild, though cooler air will gradually move in from the west.
Northeast Weather Story
Rain, Strong Winds, and Transitioning Snow Showers to Wrap Up the Year
A strong low-pressure system will dominate the weather in the Northeast as it traverses the region. Expect widespread rain showers across much of New England and the Mid-Atlantic during the day, with rainfall amounts ranging from 0.5 to 1 inch. Elevated instability may bring a few rumbles of thunder, particularly in southern New England during the overnight.
Key Impacts and Details:
- Precipitation: Heaviest rain overnight tapers by Wednesday AM for most. Cold air arriving behind the departing system will lead to a transition to snow in the higher elevations of New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire late Tuesday night, though significant accumulations are not expected.
- Winds: Strong southwesterly winds of 20-30 mph will accompany this system during the day, with gusts reaching up to 45 mph in exposed locations, especially along the coast and higher terrain.
- Temperatures: Temperatures will remain mild, with highs in the mid-40s to mid-50s across the region.
- Looking Ahead: As the low departs on Wednesday, colder air will lead to the development of lake-effect snow across portions of northern and central New York, while upslope snow showers affect the Green and White Mountains.