A strong disturbance with a history of blizzard conditions, severe weather and damaging wind in other parts of the country as it swept through will arrive in New England later today. Some showers and pockets of rain will transition to heavier downpours west to east through the evening and overnight along with strong wind gusts. Danielle has full details in this morning’s video, including a special shout-out to the Paul Revere School in Revere, MA. Curious what the rest of the month has in store for us? Watch Matt’s March Monthly forecast!
A powerful storm system is making its way across the eastern U.S., bringing a wide array of hazards, from blizzard conditions in the Upper Midwest to severe thunderstorms along the East Coast. The deepening low-pressure system is tracking from Chicago into southern Quebec by Thursday, with a strong cold front extending southward.
Blizzard Conditions:
Heavy snow, combined with wind gusts of 40-60 mph, is producing blizzard conditions from northern Missouri through Iowa and into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Whiteout conditions will make travel extremely hazardous, with 1 to 2 feet of snow possible in some areas before the storm moves out Thursday morning.
Severe Weather Threat:
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to impact the East Coast today, from northern Florida to New England. The most significant threat exists across the eastern Carolinas into southeast Virginia, where damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible. Flash flooding is also a concern due to the combination of heavy rain and rapid snowmelt, particularly in areas from Pennsylvania to Maine.
Heavy Rain and Flooding Concerns:
From the Mid-Atlantic through New England, a surge of Gulf moisture is fueling a widespread heavy rain event. Rainfall totals of 1-2 inches are expected, with higher amounts possible in the higher terrain of New England. Snowmelt from recent warm temperatures will add to the runoff, increasing the risk of river flooding and ice jams.
West Coast Storm:
A new Pacific storm is bringing heavy rain and mountain snow to California, with the Sierra Nevada expecting significant snowfall through Thursday night. The storm will move inland, spreading snow across the Intermountain West and central Rockies.
Temperature Trends:
The Eastern U.S. enjoys a brief warm-up today, with temperatures 10-20°F above normal ahead of the front. However, a sharp drop in temperatures follows behind the system, returning much of the East to seasonal conditions by Thursday. Meanwhile, the western half of the country remains cooler than normal, with below-average temperatures reaching into the central Plains later this week.
A potent storm system is sweeping through the Northeast today, bringing a mix of heavy rain, gusty winds, and potential flooding concerns due to rapid snowmelt.
Heavy Rain & Flooding Risk:
A period of steady, moderate to heavy rain will develop this afternoon and continue into tonight as a strong cold front approaches. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected across much of New England and eastern New York, with locally higher amounts possible in the Catskills, Berkshires, and Green Mountains. Given recent snowpack and frozen ground, runoff will be rapid, leading to rises on area rivers. Ice jams remain a concern, particularly along the Winooski, Otter Creek, and Passumpsic Rivers in Vermont, as well as the Hudson River near Troy, NY.
Windy Conditions:
Ahead of the front, a strong southerly flow will bring gusty winds, particularly along the coast and higher elevations. Gusts of 40-50 mph are possible across coastal Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Long Island, while inland areas will see gusts of 30-40 mph. Behind the front, a shift to strong northwest winds Thursday night into Friday will bring colder air and additional wind gusts of 40-50 mph, particularly in the higher elevations of Vermont, New Hampshire, and western Massachusetts.
Temperature Swings:
Today will be unseasonably mild, with highs in the 50s for much of southern New England and even near 60°F in parts of the Hudson Valley. However, temperatures will fall sharply behind the front late Wednesday into Thursday, dropping into the 30s and 40s by Thursday afternoon and continuing to fall overnight. Wind chills will make it feel much colder by Friday morning.
Coastal & Marine Impacts:
A Gale Warning is in effect for all offshore waters as strong southerly winds increase wave heights to 8-12 feet late tonight. Coastal flooding is a concern along south-facing shores of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, where a 1.5-2.5 ft storm surge could lead to minor inundation during high tide.
Winter Weather Returns to Higher Elevations:
As colder air moves in late Thursday, lingering moisture will transition some of the rain to snow showers, particularly in the Adirondacks, Greens, and Whites. A light accumulation of 1-3 inches is possible in these areas by Friday morning.
Looking Ahead:
After the storm exits, conditions remain breezy but mainly dry for the weekend. A weak system may bring some scattered snow showers Saturday night into Sunday, but no significant precipitation is expected. By early next week, a warming trend begins, with highs returning to the 40s and 50s across much of the region.
