As we move through another chilly January day, New Englanders are feeling the winter bite with wind chills in the teens and 20s. A few areas will see scattered snow showers today, but overall, the theme is bright skies and brisk winds to wrap up the week.
National Weather Summary
Arctic Air and Dangerous Wind Chills Dominate the Eastern U.S.:
The eastern half of the United States continues to experience bitterly cold temperatures as an arctic air mass remains entrenched. Record cold high temperatures and lows, ranging from 15 to 25 degrees below average, will persist from the Southeast into the Mid-Atlantic. Wind chills as low as 0 to 10 degrees above zero pose significant hazards for outdoor activity, with risks of frostbite and hypothermia. Conditions will gradually moderate beginning Friday.
Lake-Effect Snow Intensifies:
Persistent cyclonic flow and cold air over the Great Lakes will generate moderate to heavy lake-effect snow, particularly downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario. Snow totals could exceed 8 inches in the heaviest bands. Light snow is also expected across parts of the Northern Plains and Appalachians.
Milder and Drier in the West:
High pressure in the West is keeping conditions dry with offshore flow contributing to fire weather concerns in parts of Southern California. Meanwhile, a series of disturbances will bring light snow to the Northern Rockies and Cascades, though amounts will generally remain modest.
Northeast Weather Story
Arctic Air Holds Firm; Snow Showers and Lake-Effect Accumulations Expected:
A continuation of frigid conditions dominates the Northeast today as high pressure over the Mid-Atlantic maintains a bitterly cold air mass across the region. Highs will struggle to climb out of the teens in northern areas, while southern portions see highs in the low to mid-20s. Wind chills in the single digits or below zero will remain a concern, especially during the morning hours.
Light snow showers will accompany a weak clipper system moving through northern New England, with minor accumulations of up to an inch possible in the higher terrain. More impactful snow accumulations will occur downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario, where lake-enhanced snow bands could produce 6 to 12 inches in localized areas of western New York.
Looking Ahead:
As the high pressure slides offshore, temperatures will begin to moderate slightly on Friday, though they will remain below average. Snow showers will persist in the mountains and higher terrain, while valley areas begin to dry out. The weekend brings increasing chances for another round of snow showers as a weak system approaches from the west.
