A chilly low-pressure system may disrupt Thanksgiving travel plans in the area, bringing freezing temperatures, strong winds, and the possibility of snow before it’s time to defrost the turkey.
A significant winter storm is set to impact parts of the Northeast, bringing with it accumulating snow, frigid temperatures, strong winds, and rain, coinciding with the busy travel period leading up to Thanksgiving.
Snowfall may be on the horizon for parts of the northern mid-Atlantic and interior Northeast as we approach the weekend, as indicated by the FOX Forecast Center. Nonetheless, experts indicated that significant uncertainty remains regarding the quantity of cold air present for snowfall.
The potential for lake-effect snow looms, but its occurrence will vary based on the path of the low-pressure system, as noted by the FOX Forecast Center. The current conditions suggest that the air temperature might be too high for lake-effect snow to occur.
In a similar vein, the NOAA NWS Climate Prediction Center concurs, indicating that the robust storm system may lead to lake effect snowfall from Thursday to Friday, though the outcome hinges on the presence of cold air.
“There is uncertainty in the magnitude of the cold air, which could impact precipitation type and snow totals for some locations,” the agency said in a post on Facebook.
The D.C. region is set to experience a mild beginning to the week, but a cold front is expected to move in late Wednesday, ushering in cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain.
Prepare for a blustery Thursday and Friday, as chilly temperatures and the possibility of showers are on the horizon. This appears to be the most promising option for a light wintry mix, with a possibility of some ice or wet snowflakes as temperatures dip into the 30s and 40s for the region.
Areas north of D.C. are expected to experience increased precipitation, potentially disrupting air and road travel as the Thanksgiving travel week begins.
Regions to the west of D.C. and in the mountains are expected to receive more snow compared to the nearby metro area; however, this indicates that the whole area will likely experience below-average snowfall.