Time to Turn on the Heat? Northeast Braces for Coldest Air of the Season
Enjoy the midweek warm-up in the Northeast while it lasts. The coldest air of the season is on its way to this corner of the country by the weekend. Read on for the details of this weather whiplash.
Brief Warmup Spreading Across the Northeast to Start the Week
Get out and enjoy the pleasant weather in the eastern U.S. this week, as big changes are on the horizon in time for the weekend. In addition to the infusion of cold air, the upcoming pattern will also usher in gusty winds, rain, and the chance of snow in the higher elevations.
A zone of high pressure anchored over the Tennessee Valley and the Southeast will support dry conditions in the southern U.S., helping crews working to restore power after Hurricane Isaias roared through. The opposite situation will unfold in the northern U.S. early in the week as a train of storms makes its way through the Great Lakes and into New England.
While some of this rain could track into the interior Northeast at times this week, this will not be a widespread precipitation event for now. The most noticeable weather story in the Northeast over the first half of the week will be the toasty temperatures compared to what you normally would expect in the middle of October.
The mercury will climb into the 70s and 80s on Tuesday throughout much of the Ohio Valley, Pennsylvania, southern New York, New Jersey, and into the mid-Atlantic. Temperatures will remain in the 60s across most of southern New England, including Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Meanwhile, highs will top out in the 50s across most of New England on Tuesday. Warmer temperatures will spread deeper into New England on Wednesday, with readings expected to reach the 70s across some portions of Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.
Big Changes Looming for the Weekend
A major shift in the weather will bring in noticeably cooler temperatures just in time for the weekend. The temperatures will begin to plummet as a storm originating in Canada dives to the south across the Great Lakes and the Northeast. The lower elevations of the region escape with rain showers; however, the flakes could fly in the mountainous regions of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Daytime highs will struggle to climb out of the 30s in the northernmost reaches of the region. The lower elevations of the Northeast should expect highs to max out in the 50s. Gusty winds and plenty of clouds will send the real feel readings to about 5 to 15 degrees below the actual temperature.
Saturday night is expected to see the chilliest temperatures, with widespread overnight lows falling into the 30s. The mercury will dive into the 20s across the northern fringe of New York and into Vermont and Hampshire. This is also where snow is most likely. Limited accumulation is possible in the Adirondacks and the Green and White Mountains.
Temperatures will be on the upswing by Sunday as high pressure begins to build and dry conditions return.
Unfortunately for leaf peepers, the dramatic shift in the weather will bring an end to the fall foliage season in many areas. Although much of Pennsylvania and southern New England is currently at peak color, the onset of windy conditions and falling temperatures will bring the remaining leaves off the trees.
The leaves gathering on the ground could also soak up rain and make roads slippery. Wet leaves are also prone to clogging storm drains, raising the risk of minor flooding if significant precipitation begins to fall.
Residents of the Northeast cannot catch a break in the weekend weather. This will be the fourth week in a row that a storm has impacted outdoor plans to some degree. The good news with the upcoming pattern is that conditions are expected to begin to improve by Sunday, hopefully salvaging the back half of the weekend.
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