Mix of Rain and Snow on Tap for Great Lakes, Midwest, and East Coast

A storm system packing wind, rain, and snow is going to take aim across parts of the Midwest and across to the East Coast this week. How much moisture falls across the parched eastern U.S. will be driven by the impacts of a second coastal storm. Here is what you need to know about this active weather pattern shaping up for the eastern half of the nation in the days ahead.

Change is on the Way for Eastern Half of U.S.

A major weather maker is coming together for the middle of the week around the Great Lakes. This system will have the potential of ushering in winter weather as well as rain for the drought-stricken Northeast. But first the region will be dealing with more fire weather conditions to start the new work week.

The Northeast has been grappling with brush fires over the last few weeks due to a lack of moisture, unseasonably warm temperatures, and high winds. The greatest threat of these fires breaking out early in the week will be near the Atlantic coastline in New England.

Abnormally dry to drought conditions will be the story for the area stretching from western and southern New England and down into northern and eastern Pennsylvania, the northeastern corner of Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. The latest report out of the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that 96% of the Northeast is now under the designation of abnormally dry or drought conditions.

The good news is that the storm system brewing in the Great Lakes this week could work to chip away at the drought. The storm will first make its presence known on Wednesday when the winds begin to whip up, reaching their peak on Thursday and Friday. The high winds will begin in the Great Lakes but will eventually stretch into the Midwest in one direction and over to the eastern U.S. in the other.

These high winds will generate high waves on the Great Lakes through the weekend. The winds will be powerful enough to raise the risk of power outages, particularly in the southern Appalachians where the recovery from Helene is still happening.

Colder Air Intrusion Will Set Stage for Potential Snow

The Great Lakes storm will also work to bring down colder air from Canada and deposit it as far as the Midwest, the Southeast, and the central Appalachians. This influx of cooler air may migrate into New England later in the week.

Lake-effect snow is also in the forecast for the Great Lakes. This is the time of the year when lake-effect snow is more prevalent as the cold air moves over the warmer waters still circulating in the Great Lakes. Some areas of the Ohio Valley and the central and southern Appalachians may also see temperatures cold enough to support the development of snow late Wednesday and into the weekend.