Matt and Danielle Noyes have been telling our 1°Outside friends for weeks about the return of a cold pattern for the New Year, declaring in our Pattern Predictions video that it will likely be here to stay for most if not all of January. Well, today is transition day back into that new winter air with westerly winds gusting high enough to slow some summit chairlifts in Ski Country, knock out power to a few and carrying in colder air for all. Details in the video!
National Weather Summary for Thursday, January 2, 2025
A complex weather pattern remains in place across the United States as January gets underway.
- Northeast and Great Lakes:
A strong low-pressure system centered over northern New England and southeastern Canada will dominate the weather, producing lake-effect snow and gusty winds. Snowfall totals of 1 to 3 feet are expected in the Tug Hill Plateau of New York and parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, while lesser accumulations are forecast for other Great Lakes snowbelt areas. The wind will also be a factor, with gusts of 40–50 mph creating areas of blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility. Temperatures remain below freezing across much of the Northeast, and wind chills will feel even colder.
- Southeast:
High pressure will provide dry and seasonably cool conditions. Daytime highs range from the 40s in the Carolinas to the 60s and 70s in Florida.
- Central U.S.:
A fast-moving system crossing the Plains will bring light snow to parts of the Midwest, with minor accumulations in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. Arctic air will continue to plunge southward, keeping temperatures 10–20°F below average from the Dakotas to the Ohio Valley.
- West:
The Pacific Northwest remains unsettled as a strong storm system brings periods of heavy rain to coastal areas and significant snowfall to the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and northern Rockies. Rainfall rates may exceed 0.5 inches per hour at times, and localized flooding is possible. Snow levels are expected to remain high initially before dropping with the passage of a cold front. Gusty winds will accompany this system, especially along the coast and in higher elevations.
- Southwest:
Mild and dry conditions persist, with temperatures above seasonal averages. Highs will reach the 60s and 70s across the region, with 80s in parts of southern California and Arizona.
Northeast Weather Story for Thursday, January 2, 2025
The weather in the Northeast will be dominated by the strong storm system that brought snow and rain earlier in the week. While the low-pressure system lifts into the Canadian Maritimes, its influence will continue to be felt across New England and upstate New York.
- Lake-Effect and Upslope Snow:
Winds turning westerly to northwesterly will generate significant lake-effect snow east of Lakes Erie and Ontario, with accumulations of 2–3 feet likely in the most persistent bands. The Tug Hill Plateau and western Adirondacks are expected to bear the brunt of this event. Snowfall rates of 1–2 inches per hour and whiteout conditions will make travel hazardous. The southern Greens and Berkshires will see upslope snow showers, with totals of 3–7 inches in higher elevations.
- Gusty Winds:
A Wind Advisory remains in effect for much of southern New England and parts of upstate New York, where gusts of 45–55 mph are possible. These winds will exacerbate blowing and drifting snow, particularly in open and exposed areas.
- Temperatures:
Daytime highs will struggle to rise above the 20s and 30s across the region, with wind chills making it feel even colder. Overnight lows will drop into the teens and single digits in the north, with 20s closer to the coast.
- Marine Interests:
Strong winds will create hazardous conditions for mariners. Gale warnings are in effect for much of the coastal waters, with seas reaching 8–12 feet offshore.
