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A Look at the Week Ahead: Light Snow, Rain, and an Arctic Blast

Matthew Moll

Get ready for a mix of light snow, rain, and a blast of Arctic air in New England over the next few days. While we’re not expecting any major storms, there will be a few chances for wintry weather before an intense cold snap arrives early next week. Here’s what you need to know:


TONIGHT-FRIDAY MORNING | Minimal Impact

A weak system will move through tonight, bringing mostly cloudy skies and possibly a few snow flurries. This system, known as a "mid-level shortwave trough," is a disturbance in the atmosphere that can trigger some light precipitation. Think of it as a ripple in the air that stirs things up just enough to create some clouds and maybe a few flakes. Any snow will be very light, and the best chance to see it is on Cape Cod and the Islands, where the ocean might add a little extra moisture to the mix.

What to Expect:

  • Mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of flurries.

  • A dusting of snow possible near coastal areas, especially Cape Cod and the Islands.


SATURDAY-SUNDAY MORNING | Low Impact

A frontal system will sweep through New England this weekend, bringing warmer air on Saturday followed by cooler air late Saturday into Sunday. Ahead of the cold front, a "low-level jet" – a fast-moving river of air a few thousand feet above the surface – will pump in warmer air, pushing temperatures into the 40s in much of southern New England.

What This Means:

  • Breezy conditions with gusts of 25-40 mph, especially in areas like the Champlain Valley.

  • Light rain showers for southern areas, with a mix of rain and snow showers farther north. Accumulations will be light and patchy.

  • The cold front will move through Saturday night, bringing drier and cooler air by Sunday morning.


SUNDAY AFTERNOON-MONDAY MORNING | Low to Moderate Impact

As the cold front slows down near the coast, a small area of low pressure might form along it, leading to a quick burst of snow. Whether this happens and how much snow we see will depend on how quickly the cold air moves in and where the low-pressure system tracks.

What Could Happen:

  • Light snow is possible across southern New England, southern New Hampshire, and parts of coastal Maine.

  • Accumulations of 1-3 inches are possible, but this depends on how the system develops.

  • This setup, called an "anafrontal system," is unusual because it creates precipitation behind the cold front rather than ahead of it. It’s caused by warm, moist air rising over the colder air that’s moving in.


ARCTIC OUTBREAK (MONDAY-WEDNESDAY)

Get ready for some serious cold. Early next week, an Arctic air mass will plunge into New England, bringing the coldest temperatures of the season. This is tied to a weather pattern called the "Eastern Pacific Oscillation" (EPO). When the EPO is in its negative phase, it sets up a flow of frigid air from Siberia, across the Arctic, and down into the U.S.


What to Expect:

  • Highs in the single digits in northern areas and teens in southern regions.

  • Lows below zero in northern New England, with some spots dipping to -20°F in sheltered valleys.

  • Wind chills will make it feel even colder, with values between -15°F and -25°F across the region.

  • Be aware of updated cold weather alerts: the National Weather Service now uses "cold weather advisories" and "extreme cold warnings" instead of wind chill advisories and warnings.


LOOKING AHEAD

By mid-next week, a storm system is expected to develop near the Gulf of Mexico. Where it goes after that depends on whether the Arctic air sticks around. If the cold holds its ground, the storm will likely stay offshore. But if the cold retreats, we could see more interaction with the eastern U.S.

What to Watch For:

  • The timing and path of the southern storm.

  • Whether it interacts with the cold air to bring wintry weather to New England.


In Summary

Over the next few days, expect a mix of light snow and rain before the arrival of a powerful Arctic blast early next week. Temperatures will plummet, and the cold will be intense, so prepare for it now. Stay tuned for updates as we fine-tune the details of the weekend’s snow chances and the long-term forecast.

Prepared by: New England Weather Consulting


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