Weather Shift Brings Cold Air and Potential Snow to Central and Eastern U.S.

Changes in weather patterns are set to bring chilly conditions more akin to November across central and eastern regions of the United States, according to forecasts from meteorologists. This shift will introduce colder temperatures, windy conditions, and possibly the season’s inaugural snowfall in some areas.

The Southeast, which has been experiencing warmer than usual weather, particularly from Texas to Florida and the southern Appalachians, is expected to feel the starkest temperature drop. The Southeast Regional Climate Center reports that colder air will move into the Plains by Wednesday, expanding to the South, lower Midwest, and the East by Thursday, potentially persisting through the weekend.

Forecast lows are anticipated to reach the 30s and 40s across the South, with temperatures in the 40s and even 30s expected in the Midwest and interior Northeast, presenting an unseasonably cold scenario for these regions.

Two storms are poised to impact central and eastern U.S. areas this week. The initial system will gain strength in the Northern Plains and the upper Midwest by Tuesday. However, there may be insufficient cold air for snow, leading primarily to rainfall and windy conditions affecting these regions early week.

A succeeding storm is forecasted to form near the Great Lakes and the Northeast starting late Wednesday, potentially persisting until Friday or Saturday. This more powerful system may bring strong winds, cold air, rain, or possibly wet snow.

The Northeast, particularly along the Interstate 95 corridor, has been experiencing one of the driest autumns on record. Despite hopes, the first storm is unlikely to supply significant rain. However, the second storm could deliver much-needed rainfall, with predictions of soaking rain from Maine to Maryland, marking the most precipitation seen over recent months.

Regarding snowfall, the initial storm lacks the necessary cold air to generate snow. The second storm might be sufficiently cold to produce accumulating wet snow showers in the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and interior Northeast areas later in the week. Notably impacted areas could include the Adirondacks, Appalachians, and Catskills, where some may witness their first slushy snow of the season.

As this storm lingers, there also arises the potential for lake-effect snow and rain in parts of the Great Lakes from Friday into the weekend. This pattern change arises due to an atmospheric wind flow obstruction caused by a high-pressure bubble, which may trap a deep low-pressure system over the East.

In Cleveland, Ohio, forecasts from the National Weather Service predict a chance of snow amidst rain on Wednesday and Thursday for the first time this season. With surface temperatures between 35 and 39 degrees, conditions favoring snow formation are marginal, and significant accumulation is not expected.

Historically, this timing aligns with average snowfall onset in Cleveland, typically starting around November 10, with major snowfall occurring later. The upcoming mix of snow and rain could potentially alleviate the region’s extended period of below-average precipitation levels, as October saw only a handful of rainy days, recording less than typical rainfall for the period.