Cooler, Wetter, and Windier Conditions Heading to the Northeast

Do not let the brief warmup this weekend across the Northeast fool you. The chilliest air thus far this season is waiting in the wings to blast the region. Here is a look at this definitive fall-like forecast.

Coldest Air of the Fall Season the Way to the Northeast

Fall is in full swing throughout the Northeast, marked by dramatic fluctuations in the weather conditions. After a relatively warm and sun-drenched start to the weekend, the weather will shift to a pattern ushering in cooler temperatures and the chance of rain. This is quite normal for October, a month known for its vast fluctuations.

The Northeast and New England will experience a large array of weather elements in the coming days, ranging from light snow, frost and freeze conditions, high winds, rain, and more. Most of the region will enjoy a pleasant day on Saturday with mild weather making it a good time to schedule some leaf peeping or pumpkin picking. With the exception of isolated rain showers for the northern reaches of New England, the rest of the region should remain on the dry side heading into Sunday.

A mass of heat that has been building over the Mississippi Valley will push to the east throughout the weekend, bringing temperatures up into the 80s on Sunday for a large part of the eastern Ohio Valley, the mid-Atlantic, and the southern edge of the Appalachians. Forecasters are predicting that the zone of warm air will stop short of creeping into upstate New York and New England. This will result in temperatures that max out in the 50s for this part of the region on Sunday.

The line of demarcation between the two temperature zones will be stark. People traveling north or south may see temperature swings of up to 40 degrees over a distance of just 100 miles by the end of the weekend.

An even chillier surge of cool air will come to start the new week, dipping to the southeast from Canada and infiltrating the Great Lakes and east to the coastal areas of the Northeast. The arrival of the cooler air is forecast to ignite rain showers and thunderstorms as it tracks to the east. Some parts of the Ohio Valley and down into West Virginia should be prepared for the chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms on Sunday.

For example, Charleston, West Virginia is forecast to be under the threat of storms later in the evening and overnight hours as the weekend wraps up. Gusty winds and small hail are potential impacts of this line of storms. Highs in Charleston will reach a high of about 84 degrees on Sunday before falling significantly into the low 50s overnight. Monday's highs will only reach the upper 50s, speaking to the noticeable change in the weather ahead.

Monday's Forecast Calling for Wind and Chilly Temperatures

Meteorologists are warning that the temperatures will really take a dive beginning Monday, landing at levels more frequently seen in the middle of November. High readings in the zone from the Ohio Valley to the coastal areas of the mid-Atlantic will max out in the 50s on Monday. The higher terrains may struggle to see the temperatures climb out of the 40s for afternoon highs.

Winds will pick up farther to the north on Monday, making it feel even colder. The persistent rain left from Sunday will mix with wet snow in some areas. The highest chance of snow will be across parts of Michigan and into northern Pennsylvania, and upstate New York.

The cold and windy pattern will expand farther to the east on Tuesday, becoming more pronounced as it does so. This will translate to the chance of lake-effect snow showers in some of the interior portions of the Northeast. Real feel temperatures could plunge into the 20s during this cold snap across the higher elevations.

The coastal areas of the Northeast will also get in on the chilly temperatures. New York City is forecast to see highs that hover in the mid 50s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Other than a brief shot of showers on Monday morning, the Big Apple will see mostly dry conditions for the balance of the week. Overnight lows will land in the mid 40s during this time period.

It will be slightly warmer to the south with Washington, D.C. expecting highs that inch up toward the 60-degree mark during this time period. It will remain dry, however, winds will make it feel miserable at times. Monday is likely to be the breeziest day with winds out of the west-northwest at 10 to 25 mph in the nation's capital.

The strong winds will work to send leaves falling to the ground in areas where the colors have already hit their fall peak. The flip side is that the cloud cover in the overnight hours will pair with the gusty winds to mitigate the chances of a frost or freeze overnight. However, this risk will heighten later in the week with clear and calmer conditions ahead.

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