National Weather Summary
West Coast & Rocky Mountains: A deep-layer cyclone continues to affect the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, bringing widespread precipitation. Heavy snow is expected in the Cascades, northern Great Basin, and northern Rockies as Arctic air filters southward. The Sierra Nevada will also see significant snowfall, with 3 to 5 feet possible in the highest elevations. Meanwhile, a strong atmospheric river is streaming into northern and central California, delivering torrential rainfall and increasing the risk for flooding and landslides. Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches are possible through Wednesday, particularly in the foothills and coastal ranges.
Plains & Midwest: Arctic air plunging southward across the northern High Plains will bring temperatures 15 to 30 degrees below normal, with highs struggling to rise above zero in Montana and the Dakotas. Meanwhile, a frontal system tracking through the Midwest is producing freezing rain from the Lower Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlantic. The greatest ice accumulation, potentially exceeding 0.25 inches, is expected in western Maryland and Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, increasing the risk for power outages and hazardous travel conditions.
Northeast: A low-pressure system crossing the Great Lakes will bring accumulating snow to northern New York and northern New England. Several inches of snow are expected, particularly across the Adirondacks, Greens, and Whites. Further south, warm air overriding a retreating Arctic air mass will set up a period of freezing rain, especially across southern New England and into the Mid-Atlantic on Wednesday.
South & Southeast: Much of the southern U.S. remains warm, with temperatures running 10 to 20 degrees above normal. Highs will reach the 80s across Texas and the Southwest, with record warmth possible. This warm air mass will remain in place until a cold front sweeps through later in the week.
As the week progresses, another storm system will bring heavy precipitation to California on Thursday, followed by another round of wintry weather in the Northeast this weekend.
Northeast Weather Story
The passage of a cold front will usher in blustery northwest winds across much of New England, gusting 25-35 mph, making for chilly wind chills despite high temperatures reaching the mid-30s to low 40s across southern New England.
Looking ahead, a wintry mix event develops late Wednesday into Thursday as a warm front lifts northward. Initially, snow will spread across the interior Wednesday night, but warmer air aloft will transition the precipitation to sleet and freezing rain from south to north. While the valleys of southern New England may see a quick change to rain, the interior—including the Berkshires, Monadnock Region, and northern New England—could see a prolonged period of icy conditions. Travel disruptions are likely, especially for the Thursday morning commute.
By late week, another round of cold and blustery conditions returns before the next storm system arrives over the weekend, which could bring another round of snow, mix, and rain.