As we begin the week, the nation experiences a variety of weather conditions shaped by active storm systems and changing airmasses. In the West, an atmospheric river continues to drench California, with heavy rain targeting the coastal ranges and the Sierra Nevada. Several inches of rain are forecast, with snow levels initially high but dropping as the system progresses. The Sierra will see significant snowfall, with multiple feet accumulating at elevations above 7,000 feet by Tuesday evening, while light snow impacts spread across the Central Rockies.
Across the Plains, Arctic air entrenches the Northern Plains, plunging temperatures 10 to 15 degrees below average and setting the stage for impactful weather. A developing low-pressure system tracks northeastward, bringing moderate to heavy snow from northeastern Minnesota into northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. By Tuesday, this system will spark lake-enhanced snowfall and spread rain across parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley, extending into the Tennessee Valley and Southeast.
Meanwhile, the Northeast transitions from the influence of a departing low-pressure system to the arrival of a new storm. Light rain and snow taper off early Monday morning, offering a brief respite before widespread rain returns late Monday night into Tuesday. Northern New England sees a mix of snow or freezing rain before transitioning to rain, while lake-effect snow develops on the backside of the system. As Thanksgiving approaches, the potential for a significant winter storm looms, with implications for holiday travel across the East Coast and Great Lakes.
New England and Upstate New York are poised for an active weather pattern as the week unfolds. Monday offers a much-needed break, with high pressure bringing drier and calmer conditions. Skies will clear in many areas, allowing temperatures to climb into the 40s across northern regions and low 50s in southern New England. Although gusty northwest winds linger early in the day, they will subside by afternoon, creating a quiet start to the week.
By Monday night, the tranquility is interrupted as a warm front advances from the Great Lakes. Light precipitation overspreads the region from southwest to northeast. With overnight temperatures near freezing in the interior, freezing rain or sleet may develop briefly across parts of the Adirondacks, northern Vermont, and New Hampshire before transitioning to plain rain by sunrise. Coastal and valley areas are expected to remain above freezing, minimizing any risk of icy conditions.
Tuesday brings widespread rainfall as the associated low-pressure system tracks through the region. Morning commutes could be wet and slow, with rain totals between 0.2 and 0.5 inches common. Temperatures will climb into the 40s and low 50s ahead of the cold front, but a sharp wind shift during the afternoon will usher in colder air, transitioning rain to snow across the higher terrain of the Adirondacks, Green Mountains, and northern Maine. Accumulations in these areas will remain light but could create localized travel challenges.
Midweek offers a quieter interlude as lake-effect snow showers linger across northern and western New York and Vermont into Wednesday morning. High pressure brings clearing skies and seasonable temperatures by Wednesday afternoon, but this calm will be short-lived. A potentially impactful storm system is forecast to develop late Thursday into Friday, threatening holiday travel plans. Rain is expected along the coast, while inland and higher-elevation areas may contend with accumulating snow or a wintry mix. Although uncertainty remains regarding the exact track and intensity of this system, its timing could coincide with Thanksgiving travel, making it essential to monitor updates closely.
