A potent clipper system is impacting the Great Lakes and Northeast, bringing a complex mix of weather hazards. Heavy lake-effect snow will persist through Thursday east of Lakes Erie and Ontario, with snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour in localized bands. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northern Lower Peninsula will experience additional heavy snow into Thursday morning. Across the Northeast, widespread snow transitions to lake-enhanced and upslope snowfall, with accumulations exceeding a foot in some areas of northern New England’s higher terrain. Along the I-95 corridor, precipitation will primarily fall as rain.
A strong cold front accompanying the system will sweep eastward, bringing gusty winds to much of the Eastern U.S. Thursday and Friday. Wind gusts may reach 45-55 mph in coastal areas, contributing to dangerous wind chills as temperatures plunge 10-15°F below normal. Snow squalls could cause brief but intense reductions in visibility, posing travel hazards.
Meanwhile, the Southeast remains cool under high pressure, while the Gulf Coast experiences scattered showers and thunderstorms, with a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall. Out west, stagnant conditions in the Pacific Northwest give way to a modest increase in precipitation late Thursday as a frontal system approaches, bringing rain and mountain snow.
The approaching clipper system will bring impactful weather to New England and Upstate New York. Snow begins this afternoon, intensifying tonight with widespread accumulations of 3-6 inches across interior valleys and higher totals of 8-12+ inches in the Green, White, and Adirondack Mountains. Coastal areas, including Boston and southern New England’s I-95 corridor, will primarily see rain, with only a brief period of wet snow possible. Inland higher terrain, especially northwest of I-495, will see significant snow accumulations, impacting travel through Thursday morning. Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for much of the region.
Strong southerly winds ahead of the system will develop tonight, transitioning to powerful westerly gusts behind the cold front on Thursday. Wind gusts of 40-50 mph are expected across much of the Northeast. These winds will lead to blowing and drifting snow in areas with fresh accumulations, reducing visibility and worsening travel conditions.
Thursday morning could also bring a few snow squalls in the wake of the departing storm. These squalls may produce brief but intense snowfall rates and rapidly changing visibility, particularly in New York’s Mohawk Valley, the Berkshires, and into southern Vermont and New Hampshire.
Following the storm, arctic air will pour into the region, resulting in the coldest conditions of the season so far. Friday will feature highs struggling to rise above freezing, with wind chills in the single digits and teens. Lake-effect snow bands will persist in New York’s Tug Hill Plateau and into western Vermont, where an additional 2-5 inches is possible.
For marine interests, Gale Warnings are in effect across all waters tonight through Thursday, with waves building to 10-15 feet offshore. Coastal mariners should prepare for hazardous conditions.
In summary, the combination of heavy snow, high winds, and rapidly falling temperatures will create challenging conditions for travel and outdoor activities across New England and Upstate New York through late week.
