Weekend Weather Preview

Multiple storm systems create a soggy, wintry forecast this weekend for the Northwest, south-central U.S. and Northeast. If you are holiday shopping or needing to get outside, it should be free of any weather concerns elsewhere.

Saturday
There will be the combination of lake-effect snow and a warm front that affects the north-central U.S., Great Lakes and Northeast to start the weekend. During the morning, persistent northwesterly winds will produce lake-effect for areas downwind of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Erie and Ontario. A warm front will then lift across the Upper Mississippi Valley, Great Lakes and Northeast during the afternoon and evening. Expect even more light snow during this time as a result, with the best chance occurring in far northern areas. There could even be some freezing drizzle or very light freezing rain that mixes in at times.

Meanwhile, the south-central U.S. will remain under the influence of a nearly stationary front. This front will lead to rounds of rain and thunderstorms for Texas throughout the day. Showers and thunderstorms could then spread to southern Oklahoma, southern Arkansas and Louisiana later in the day.

A large weather system and associated cold front will drift across the Northwestern U.S. on Saturday. Precipitation will become increasingly likely from northwest to southeast through the Northwest and northern Rockies during the day. Expect rain for the coast of Washington and Oregon as well as the lower elevations of the Northwest. The northern Rockies will mainly see a rain/snow mix. However, light to moderate snow will occur in the tallest elevations of the Cascades and northern Rockies. Higher elevations could see some freezing rain mix in with snow at times.

The rest of the nation will be worry-free under high pressure. This includes California into the Southwest and central/southern Rockies as well as most of the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

The coldest temperatures will be found across the interior Northeast, with highs only reaching single digits and teens. Otherwise, expect 20s and 30s for the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and southern New England. There will be mainly 40s and 50s for the rest of the East, though 60s are possible along the Gulf Coast and 70s will occur in Florida.

Then in the West, the tallest peaks of the Cascades and Rockies will report temperatures in the 30s. Forties and 50s are likely for the Northwest, Great Basin, the rest of the Rockies and most of the Plains. Though, a few 60s are not out of the question in the High Plains. Most 60s, 70s and a few 80s will be reserved for California and the Southwest.
 
Sunday
Saturday’s warm front advances farther east on Sunday, making its way across the Northeast. Most of the Northeast will experience light snowfall throughout the day. Even southern New England and coastal areas could see some wet snowflakes or a rain/snow mix.

The stationary front over the south-central U.S. will finally get its act together and inch to the northeast. Repeated rounds of moderate to heavy rain will be likely across the Lower Mississippi Valley into the Deep South. Be on the lookout for areas of flooding, especially in urban, low-lying and other more flood prone areas. It is always best to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!” if you approach a flooded roadway.

The more potent storm system in the West will also expand east. Expect precipitation throughout the Northwest, northern Rockies/Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley throughout the day. Occasional rain showers will soak the Pacific Northwest, with a rain/snow mix occurring throughout the interior Northwest. Light to moderate snow will be the predominant precipitation type across the Cascades and Rockies.

Things get more complicated across the north-central U.S. Initially, there will be a mix of freezing rain, snow and sleet that develops. This will then change over to plain rain as the system moves farther to the east.

Like Saturday, high pressure will build over California into the Four Corners states as well as the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. There will be a continuation of dry, quiet weather here.

Highs in the teens and 20s will continue on Sunday across eastern New England. The highest points of the Cascades and Rockies will also see teens and 20s. Widespread 30s and 40s will occur for the Northwest and Mountain West into the northern Plains, Great Lakes and the rest of the Northeast. Milder 60s and 70s are forecast for most of the Southern U.S., including the Desert Southwest, the southern half of the Plains, Deep South, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.