New England’s midweek weather brings bright skies, a lighter breeze, and still below-average temperatures—though not as bitter as the start of the week. A big ocean storm tracks south of us Thursday, but it comes close enough to graze parts of New England with light snow, especially near the South Coast, Nantucket, and Cape Cod. Danielle has full details on the next 24 hours in the video above & read on for the National and Northeast weather summaries.
The Arctic blast that has gripped much of the central and eastern U.S. over the past few days is beginning to gradually moderate, but dangerously cold temperatures will persist across much of the country today. Subzero lows remain common in the northern Plains and Midwest, with wind chills of -30°F to -60°F in some areas. Even as far south as Texas and the Gulf Coast, temperatures will be well below normal, with highs struggling to get out of the 30s and 40s in some locations.
A winter storm continues to impact the southern Mid-Atlantic, bringing accumulating snow and ice from northern North Carolina to the Delmarva Peninsula. Some areas could see over 6 inches of snow, while parts of eastern North Carolina may experience significant icing that could lead to dangerous travel conditions and power outages. This storm system will quickly exit the East Coast tonight, with cold, dry air settling in behind it.
In the Northeast, lake-effect snow continues across western and northern New York, with localized additional accumulations of 6-12 inches in the Tug Hill Plateau and western Adirondacks. However, this activity will gradually diminish through the day as high pressure builds in from the west. A coastal storm forming offshore on Thursday is now expected to pass too far south and east to bring significant snowfall to southern New England, although light snow may brush Cape Cod and the Islands late Thursday into early Friday.
On the West Coast, another Pacific storm system is bringing heavy mountain snow and coastal rain to the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. Snow levels will be relatively high today but will lower into Thursday, allowing for several feet of snow in the Cascades and northern Rockies.
Looking ahead, the Arctic air mass over the central and eastern U.S. will continue to moderate into the weekend, while another system could bring light snow showers to parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast early next week.
Cold air remains firmly in place across New England and Upstate New York, but a gradual easing of the strong winds will make for slightly more tolerable conditions today. Wind chills this morning will still be well below zero, particularly in the interior, but lighter winds will make it feel less brutal compared to earlier in the week. High temperatures will remain 10-15°F below normal, with highs generally in the teens and low 20s across northern areas, and mid to upper 20s in southern New England.
Lake-effect snow is still ongoing across western and northern New York, particularly in the Tug Hill Plateau and western Adirondacks, where an additional 6-12 inches of snowfall is possible before activity gradually tapers off late today. Lighter scattered snow showers may also continue into parts of Vermont, western Massachusetts, and northern New Hampshire, but accumulations will be minor. Elsewhere, mainly dry and cold conditions prevail under a mix of sun and clouds.
By Thursday, attention turns to a developing coastal storm, but latest trends continue to shift the system farther offshore, reducing the risk of significant snowfall in southern New England. However, Cape Cod, the Islands, and possibly coastal Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts may see light snow late Thursday into Friday morning. Any accumulations would be generally 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts possible on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Gusty winds (25-35 mph) and rough seas may also lead to hazardous marine conditions and minor coastal flooding concerns.
As this storm exits, dry but chilly weather will settle in for Friday and the weekend. Highs will remain below normal, with readings in the 20s and 30s, but lighter winds and some sunshine will make for a more tolerable stretch of winter weather. Another weak disturbance may bring scattered snow showers to interior New England over the weekend, but no significant storms are expected at this time.
