Matt Noyes delivers a forecast that’s certainly starting to sound a lot like spring – at least for Central and Southern New England where temperatures hang in the 50s all day and an isolated thunderstorm is possible! Meanwhile, snow is set to return to the mountains this weekend – Matt mentions that in Noyes’ Notes, but as usual, if you’d like a deeper dive on weather for the next several days, you’re looking for our “Insights” video on our homepage and our App Homescreen! This video is all about the next 24 hours!
A powerful low-pressure system will continue to impact the Great Lakes and Northeast today, while a new storm system arrives on the West Coast. The Midwest and Great Lakes will see lingering blizzard conditions early today, with strong winds and additional snowfall expected from Iowa to Michigan. Wind gusts of 40-60 mph will create dangerous whiteout conditions before the system moves into southeastern Canada by tonight.
Along the East Coast, a strong cold front will bring a final round of heavy rain and thunderstorms this morning from the Mid-Atlantic to New England. While the severe threat will be lower than on Wednesday, strong southerly winds could mix down, bringing gusty showers and embedded thunderstorms. Cooler air will quickly follow the frontal passage, with gusty northwest winds developing across the Northeast through tonight into Friday.
Out West, a new Pacific storm system is bringing heavy mountain snow to the Sierras, with up to two feet possible in higher elevations. Coastal California will see widespread rain, particularly in Southern California, where localized flooding may occur. This system will push into the Rockies by late Friday, bringing widespread snow across Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming.
Meanwhile, the southern Plains will see an increase in fire weather danger today and Friday as dry air and strong winds return. Eastern New Mexico and western Texas will be most at risk, with relative humidities dropping below 10% in some areas.
Looking ahead, another system will develop in the central U.S. this weekend, bringing rain to the Southeast and potential snow to the central Plains. A new Pacific storm is also expected to impact the West Coast by early next week, bringing another round of heavy rain and mountain snow.
A strong storm system that brought heavy rain and gusty winds Wednesday night will gradually exit the region today, leaving behind showers and increasing northwest winds. Early morning downpours and embedded thunderstorms will push eastward, clearing most of New England by midday. Coastal areas, particularly southeastern Massachusetts and coastal Maine, may see lingering rain into the afternoon.
Temperatures will briefly remain mild through the morning, with highs in the 50s in southern New England and 40s further north. However, once the cold front moves through, winds will shift to the northwest, bringing much colder air into the region. By late afternoon, temperatures will begin falling rapidly, with lows tonight dropping into the 20s and even the teens in northern New England.
One of the biggest weather impacts today into Friday will be strong northwest winds. As the storm deepens in eastern Canada, a tightening pressure gradient will bring widespread wind gusts of 30-40 mph across much of the region, with some locations—especially the Berkshires, Green Mountains, and coastal areas—seeing gusts up to 50 mph. The strongest winds are expected Thursday night into Friday morning. Some scattered power outages and tree damage may occur, particularly where trees were weakened by heavy rain earlier in the week.
In the higher elevations of northern New England, rain showers will transition to snow by late Thursday, with several inches of accumulation possible in the mountains. Upslope snow showers will continue into Friday, particularly across the Adirondacks, Green Mountains, and White Mountains.
Coastal flooding concerns will gradually subside today, but the combination of high tide and strong onshore winds overnight may still lead to some minor flooding along the southern New England coast early this morning. Additionally, rough seas will persist offshore, with wave heights of 10-14 feet creating hazardous marine conditions.
Looking ahead, Friday will be cold and blustery, with scattered snow showers continuing in the mountains. The weekend will bring more tranquil weather, with temperatures moderating slightly by Sunday. Another weak system could bring light snow or rain showers to the region early next week, but no major storms are expected.
