Big Pattern Shift Means Colder, Wintry for Northeast

The recent streak of near-record and record heat across the East this week is being squeezed away in the wake of a cold front tonight. In its place, temperatures taking an autumn tumble and wintry weather will be a shock to the system for the Appalachians, eastern Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast this weekend.

Instead of being 10 to 20 degrees above average, highs will take a drastic tumble in the opposite way today and the mercury will end up 5 to 15 degrees below average. A cloud-filled sky for most will offer little in the way of a warm up on today in the eastern Great Lakes, Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic or interior Northeast with widespread chilly 40s and 50s expected.

Many residents, in fact, will need to break out winter jackets and sweatshirts while running errands this weekend. The reason is a strengthening low pressure system in New England will team up with a big area of high pressure in the Tennessee Valley, which will squeeze out a blustery to windy day. Gusts could reach up to 50 mph along the central and southern Appalachian Spine, with 40 mph-plus also likely along the Interstate 95 corridor in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. These gusts would be enough to blow away loose items, briefly knock out power, and make driving difficult.

The cold air wrapping around the western flank of the system could even deliver the first few snowflakes of the season in New England. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect across upstate New York, southern Vermont, and extreme western Massachusetts. By the time it wraps up early on Sunday afternoon, residents may be digging out of 6 inches or more, especially above 1,500 feet in elevation.

Thankfully, temperatures will return closer to normal by the end of the weekend across the Mid-Atlantic, although the Northeast will stay in a chilly rut with an active storm track.