New England enjoys a seasonable and quiet Wednesday before much-needed rain and some elevation snow moves in. Danielle has the details in the video, or read on for the National and Northeast weather summary.
National Meteorological Summary
- West Coast: A powerful Pacific storm system will begin impacting the West Coast, particularly Northern California and Southwestern Oregon, as a robust atmospheric river stalls over the region. Rainfall exceeding 10 inches is possible in some areas, with a High Risk for excessive rainfall highlighting potential flash flooding, especially near recent burn scars. Coastal and mountain areas could experience wind gusts of 60-70 mph, and blizzard conditions are likely in the Cascades and Sierra Nevada due to heavy snow and strong winds.
- Northern Plains: A lingering winter storm will bring gusty winds and moderate to heavy snowfall across North Dakota and into Northwestern Minnesota, leading to hazardous travel conditions. Additional snow accumulations of 3-6 inches are expected before tapering off Wednesday night.
- Northeast & Appalachians: A developing coastal storm will bring widespread rain and snow to the Northeast by late Wednesday into Thursday. Moderate to heavy snow is expected in the higher elevations of the central Appalachians, while lighter accumulations may extend into interior New York and Northern New England. Gusty winds will accompany this system, particularly along the coastline.
- Southeast: Showers and isolated thunderstorms will affect parts of Florida and the Carolinas. A few stronger storms are possible along the West Coast of Florida, but severe weather is not anticipated.
- General Trends: Cooler air will filter into the eastern U.S. behind the advancing storm system, while milder conditions persist across the Plains and Midwest under a building ridge of high pressure.
Northeast Weather Story
- Overview: A transition from tranquil weather on Wednesday to a more impactful period of rain and snow begins late in the day as a deepening storm system approaches the Northeast. Early morning will be calm with a mix of clouds and sun, but increasing cloud cover will dominate as the day progresses.
- Wednesday Daytime: Temperatures will range from the mid-40s to low 50s across the interior and reach the mid to upper 50s in southern New England. Winds will remain light, generally from the north or northeast. This will be an excellent day for any pre-holiday travel or outdoor activities.
- Storm Onset Wednesday Night: Rain will overspread the region from southwest to northeast late Wednesday evening into the early hours of Thursday. A strengthening coastal low will enhance precipitation rates overnight. By early Thursday morning, expect widespread steady rain across southern New England and interior New York, with snow levels gradually lowering to around 2,000 feet in the Adirondacks and Green Mountains.
- Hazards and Impacts:
- Travel: Overnight rain may lead to reduced visibility and slick roads, especially in higher terrain where snow could begin mixing in. Travelers should monitor conditions closely.
- Wind: Gusty winds of 20-30 mph will develop along the coast late Wednesday night, potentially affecting marine and coastal interests.
- Mariners: Small Craft Advisories are likely to evolve into Gale Warnings as northeast winds strengthen along the southern New England coastline. Seas will build to 6-10 feet offshore.
- Looking Ahead: Rain will persist into Thursday, with colder air wrapping into the system, leading to snow mixing in or changing over in higher elevations. The Berkshires, Adirondacks, and northern Green Mountains may see accumulating wet snow by late Thursday into Friday, while valley locations remain primarily rain.
This evolving storm system will bring much-needed precipitation to a region recently affected by drought, but those in affected areas should stay alert for changing weather conditions and potential travel disruptions.
