New Year's Eve Could be Soggy for Many Popular U.S. Destinations

The active weather pattern that has marked the last few weeks of the year for most of the country will continue to disrupt outdoor plans for some areas heading into the new year. Here is a look at how New Year's Eve is shaping up for some of the most popular travel destinations for the holiday.

New Year's Eve Trouble Brewing in Popular Tourist Destinations

The good news in the long-range forecast is that the severe weather that has been impacting much of the southern and eastern portions of the country is expected to ease as the new week begins. The parade of storms that has been roaring ashore along the Pacific coastline will also back down and give residents a brief respite from the activity.

However, that does not mean that it will be smooth sailing for all Americans. Unfortunately, the biggest trouble spots will pop up in areas that tend to be more popular with tourists looking to ring in the new year in exciting ways.

For instance, forecasters are monitoring a potential storm system expected to brew across the northeastern corner of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday. Should these forecast models come to fruition, heavy rain is likely in a zone from North Carolina and up the coast into southern New England. The mass of moisture will also impact areas as far west as Ohio and West Virginia.

Revelers heading to New York City for the celebration in Times Square will want to pack their ponchos. The forecast is calling for persistent rain to begin in the latter part of the day, totaling about a half of an inch after the sun goes down. The saving grace will be that temperatures will remain at moderate levels. The Big Apple is forecast to see highs of about 54 degrees and a low that slips into the upper 40s. However, the breezes whipped up by the incoming weather maker and the rain will combine to send the real feel readings down to about the 40-degree mark by the time that the ball drops.

The northern fringe of the storm system will find temperatures that are cold enough to support the development of snow. The greatest chance of the flakes flying will be across the western and northern Great Lakes region.

Those looking to celebrate the holiday in Chicago will be under the gun for the chance of snow or a wintry mix. At this point, Chicago is forecast to see rain showers early Tuesday that transition to snow showers later in the afternoon. Temperatures will hold steady in the upper 30s during the day before falling into the upper 20s overnight. It will be a bit breezy with a cold wind out of the north at 10 to 20 mph.

The line of wintry precipitation will set up across parts of Indiana and over into northern and western New York and the northern reaches of New England. Forecasters are still determining how intensely the wintry precipitation will come together and who will see the bulk of the impacts. The overall speed and track of the storm will influence what areas get hit the hardest. Be sure to check back in the days ahead as the forecast becomes more precise.

Problems for the Pacific?

While the Pacific coastline will see a bit of a break when compared to the volatile weather as of late, that does not mean that it will be completely dry for the region. Sporadic rain showers are forecast to pop up in the Pacific Northwest. For instance, Seattle is forecast to see cloudy but dry conditions early on Tuesday with light rain showers possibly putting a damper on the evening festivities. Highs will reach the mid 40s before dipping into the upper 30s overnight in the Emerald City.

Areas to the south of San Francisco will likely enjoy mostly dry conditions. Those heading to Los Angeles for the holiday will enjoy clear conditions with a high of about 69 degrees. Be sure to pack a jacket if headed outside for New Year's Eve celebrations as lows will plunge into the upper 40s overnight.