A significant shift in weather patterns is poised to bring an abrupt blast of December-like cold to much of the eastern United States, starting this weekend and intensifying into next week. This deep freeze, driven by a storm pulling frigid air south from Canada, marks the first true taste of wintry weather for millions.
AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok explained that a dipping jet stream is responsible for the dramatic temperature drop and blustery winds. “This will be the first taste of wintry weather for millions,” Pastelok said. “Temperatures will feel more like mid-December or even Christmastime in many places next week.”
The intense cold is expected to create lake-effect snow bands east and southeast of Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario as the frigid air blows over the relatively warm Great Lakes waters. Lake-effect snow is anticipated at times this weekend and early next week.
Before the lake-effect, a band of accumulating snow is possible across parts of the Midwest and Appalachians. Light snow showers could dust areas like Chicago and Detroit on Friday night and Saturday, with Minneapolis potentially seeing several hours of snow on Saturday. Higher elevations in the interior Northeast are also expected to pick up some snow, which Pastelok noted would be a “welcome sight at ski mountains.”
The cold air surge will push as far south as the Gulf Coast, posing a significant risk for vulnerable plants and agriculture.
“This chilly blast could bring the first hard frost or hard freeze to some areas,” Pastelok warned. The coldest morning for the Southeast is forecast for Tuesday morning, with widespread lows in the 20s over the interior and 30s along the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. Near-freezing nighttime lows could even reach the Florida Panhandle.
The combination of cold temperatures and strong winds will make conditions feel even more severe. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures are forecast to plummet to the single digits, teens, and 20s across the northern Plains, Midwest, and Appalachians from Sunday to Monday.
As the main storm system pivots toward southeastern Canada, a period of drenching rain will sweep through the Northeast. Ahead of the cold push, heavy and gusty to locally severe thunderstorms may also move through the Southeastern states on Sunday, depending on the speed of the advancing cold air.
While a few snow showers cannot be ruled out closer to the coast in states like Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York early next week, snow is unlikely in major cities from Washington, D.C., to New York City at this time.
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