New Weather on Deck for the Eastern U.S. with Range of Possibilities

Enjoy the respite from the volatile conditions while you can in the eastern U.S. Meteorologists are tracking the likelihood of another major weather maker that could send the flakes flying just prior to another surge of Arctic air across the East Coast. Here is an early look at this developing weather event.

Winter Weather Back in the Cards for the Eastern U.S.

The same atmospheric conditions that whipped up the winds again in Southern California this week will help to support a winter storm in the eastern part of the county by the weekend. Forecasters are still studying the latest models to predict how far the storm will reach as well as the magnitude of the wintry precipitation associated with the storm.

The biggest factor that will influence the impacts of this storm will be how quickly it strengthens. This intensification rate will also determine where the system tracks in the days ahead. This track will in turn influence where the heaviest snow sets up and what areas escape with just rain.

For instance, a weaker storm will be more likely to move to the south. This track means that it will have less cold air circulating within the core, resulting in just small amounts of snow. Forecasters warn there could still be some snow that makes into the interior portions of the Southeast even with a southerly track.

Conversely, a stronger storm is more likely to move farther to the north. This track would bring the moisture into the colder air in place over this region. The result would be the chance of significant snow for a zone from the Midwest and into the interior Northeast.

Heavy Rain Possible for the Southeast

Regardless of how the storm develops, rain is in the forecast for the upper Texas Coast and through the Carolinas and into Virginia and the coastal mid-Atlantic. The heaviest rain is likely to set up across the Southeast, coming along with the threat of thunder, lightning, and urban flooding.

The conditions will begin to change on Friday in places along the Gulf Coast. For instance, New Orleans will see clouds build on Friday afternoon with the chance of thunderstorms firing up in the evening and overnight hours. Winds will also pick up speed at this time, hitting speeds of 10 to 20 mph. The rain will linger into Saturday across the bayou. Highs will bounce around in the mid to upper 60s on Friday and Saturday. Colder temperatures are on the way for New Orleans on Sunday and into the new week with highs forecast to remain in the 40s for several days.

The rain will hold off until the overnight hours Friday in Atlanta. The Peach City is forecast to pick up about a half of an inch of rainfall at this time. The showers will continue on Saturday with another half of an inch of rain in the forecast. Like the rest of the region, the mercury will begin to fall dramatically on Sunday. Highs will drop from the upper 50s to close out the week to top readings in the low to mid 30s by Monday.

This drop in the temperatures in Atlanta will pave the way for the development of snow later next week. Stay tuned as we update that forecast in the days to come.

Wintry Precipitation Likely to the North

Colder air across Oklahoma and eastern portions of Kansas and up through Maine will translate to a higher chance of snow or a wintry mix. Slightly warmer temperatures expected for the southern Appalachians and up to the western and northern suburbs of the cities along the Interstate 95 corridor in the mid-Atlantic will likely see straight rain or a wintry mix.

At this point, there is a chance of a rain and snow mix in places such as Indianapolis by the weekend. A morning high in the upper 30s on Saturday will fall throughout the day, supporting the development of wintry precipitation in this part of the central U.S.

Moving to the east, Pittsburgh will see a greater chance of snow out of this weekend weather event. The Steel City is forecast to wake up to a rain and snow mix on Saturday with the moisture changing to straight rain in the afternoon as the temperatures climb to about the 40-degree mark. Falling temperatures in the evening and overnight hours will push the precipitation back over to snow amounting to accumulations of an inch or less.

The threat of snow will persist on Sunday in Pittsburgh, however, accumulations should remain on the light side. The blast of Arctic air will also reach this part of the country by the end of the weekend with Pittsburgh topping out with a high in the mid 20s on Sunday.

Should the storm remain weak, the Midwest and the Northeast may just see light snow showers or sporadic flurries. This scenario would mean that the southern Appalachians, the Carolinas, and the Virginia Piedmont will see a wintry mix. Some of this mix of rain and sleet could reach the mid-Atlantic coastline.

Influx of Air From Siberia Will Greatly Influence Weather Pattern Next Week

A mass of cold air will push to the south across the Great Plains later in the weekend and into the early part of next week. This push of Arctic air originating in Siberia will bring a batch of snow for the Rockies from Montana and down through Wyoming, Colorado, and Mexico. The Denver area is forecast to see at least a few inches out of this system beginning late Friday and continuing into Saturday.

The cold air associated with this system coming down along the Rockies will then move to the east, impacting the Southeast, the Midwest, and the Northeast by next week. This influx of cold air is likely to be the most frigid of the season thus far.

The bottom line is that there is still a great degree of uncertainty surrounding this forecast. The slightest change in the temperatures will mean the difference between who sees disruptive snow and who escapes with just rain. You will want to stay on top of this forecast heading into the end of the week if you live anywhere east of the Rockies.

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