Brrr! It’s another cold and blustery day across New England, with wind chills in the teens and some scattered upslope snow shower for the mountains. A small warming trend is on the way for the end of the week and part of the weekend, along with two disturbances to keep an eye on. Danielle has details in Noyes’ Notes/1°Outside Today and read on for the National & Northeast weather summaries.
National Weather Summary
Key Weather Highlights:
- Arctic Cold Persists: Much of the central and eastern United States remains under the grip of Arctic air, with temperatures running 10-30°F below seasonal averages. Subzero temperatures are likely across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, with lows reaching -20°F in some northern areas.
- Lake-Effect Snow: Persistent westerly and northwesterly winds will continue generating heavy lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes. Snow accumulations of 3-7 inches are expected in some areas, particularly off Lakes Erie and Ontario, with locally higher amounts where snow bands remain stationary.
- Southern California Fire Weather Concerns: Critical fire weather conditions remain across coastal Southern California due to strong offshore winds and very low humidity. Red Flag Warnings are in effect, with gusts exceeding 50 mph in some locations.
- Improving Conditions in the Southeast: After recent cold fronts, most of the Southeast will enjoy drier and seasonably cool weather, with highs ranging from the 50s to 60s.
- Mountain Snow in the West: An approaching system will bring snow to parts of the Northern Rockies and High Plains late Wednesday, with some potential for snow squalls in Montana and Wyoming.
Northeast Weather Story
The Northeast will remain locked in a cold and blustery pattern, with high temperatures struggling to rise above the mid-20s to low 30s across much of the region. Overnight lows will fall into the teens, with single digits in higher elevations and areas with fresh snow cover. Northwest winds will gust to 25-30 mph, particularly along the coast and across elevated terrain, keeping wind chills in the single digits to below zero.
Lake-Effect and Upslope Snow:
- Western New York and Northern Vermont: Heavy lake-effect snow bands off Lakes Ontario and Erie will continue to impact these regions through early Wednesday. Snowfall rates could exceed 1 inch per hour in the most persistent bands, with 3-7 inches of additional accumulation expected. Localized totals may surpass 8 inches in the Tug Hill Plateau and western Adirondacks.
- Green Mountains and Adirondacks: Upslope snow showers will enhance snowfall totals in higher elevations of Vermont and northern New York, particularly on west-facing slopes. Light additional accumulations of 1-3 inches are expected.
Improving Conditions by Night: While snow showers will linger in the mountains, drier air will lead to partial clearing across the valleys Wednesday night. Winds will gradually diminish, though bitter cold temperatures will remain. This sets the stage for continued cold weather on Thursday, with a slight moderation in temperatures expected later in the week.
