We have some severe and frigid weather coming for the Northeast, with one system assisting the next to make that forecast a reality. Today’s initial system will be a chilly air mass that reinforces our front while rain moves up the coast ahead of it. Tomorrow, the sun will return for a brief period before clouds return as our next system approaches.
This one will make travel difficult up and down the East Coast throughout the holiday weekend, with rain and harsh conditions anticipated across much of the Northeast and New England on Thursday. With temperatures hovering around 40 degrees, cold rain will fall, and higher elevations may get inner snowfall. The true surprise, however, is what lies beyond it.
Onshore winds over the Great Lakes may cause severe lake effect snows in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York from Friday to Monday, as chilly winds blow across the relatively warm lakes.
As a result, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the watch areas, predicting 6 inches or more of snow. As we get closer and see where the strong snow bands are, those watches will turn into warnings.
Clouds and rain rule the day as we hover in the mid-50s. Expect some partial clearing in the afternoon, and we could reach 60 degrees if we get enough sun. Tomorrow, expect sunshine in the morning, followed by increasing clouds in the afternoon and highs in the upper 40s to around 50.
Thursday is a terrible day, with temperatures in the mid to upper 40s and heavy rain. Winds will increase with decreasing clouds on Friday, with highs in the mid-40s.
Saturday is sunny, breezy, and cool, with highs hardly exceeding 40 degrees, if that. Winds continue to calm down on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit providing a full winter feel. Saturday and Sunday lows are expected to be in the mid to upper 20s, with low 20s anticipated farther from New York City.