Drastically Colder Temperatures Headed for the Eastern U.S.

Posted: November 11, 2022 4:12 am

The eastern half of the U.S. experienced an unseasonably warm start to November, however, all of that is about to change as a mass of cold air comes in behind what is left of tropical rainstorm Nicole. The mercury is forecast to take a plunge with the chance of wintry precipitation also moving into the region.

Clash of Competing Weather Systems to Trigger Change

The drastic change in the weather will be the result of the clash between the tropical moisture associated with Nicole meeting up with the non-tropical weather system coming in from the northern Plains. It is not unusual for interactions of two competing systems to trigger a significant change in the overall weather pattern.

The jet stream is also forecast to shift from a northward bulge to a movement from west to east. This shift will block warm air coming up from the Gulf of Mexico and replace it with cold air moving down to the south from Canada. This cold air is already in place across much of the Northwest and the Plains.

While the East Coast has seen sporadic pockets of chilly air over the last few weeks, the incoming blast is forecast to hang around for a longer period of time. This change in the weather pattern will feel even more dramatic because it is coming on the heels of unseasonable warmth. For example, New York City saw temperature readings 13 degrees above normal during the first week of November. It was nearly as warm in the Southeast with the region seeing readings about 10 degrees above average for this time period.

The shift in temperatures is set to start this weekend with the mercury dropping as much as 15 degrees in some places. For instance, Pensacola will go from a forecast high of 76 degrees on Saturday to 62 degrees on Sunday.

The interior portions of the Southeast will begin to see the change in the weather on Saturday. The high will fall in cities such as Atlanta and Charlotte by about 5 – 10 degrees from Friday into Saturday with another plunge coming for Sunday. Atlanta will drop from a forecast high of 66 degrees on Saturday to just 52 degrees on Sunday.

Frost or Freeze Possible

A large area of the Appalachians and the Tennessee Valley will be under the gun for a frost or freeze in the overnight hours Saturday into Sunday. These temperatures may reach as far east as the Interstate 85 corridor on Sunday night. Lows will range in the upper 20s and lower 30s in some parts of the South heading into Monday.

Major cities along the Interstate 95 corridor, including Washington, D.C. and New York City, will struggle to get out of the 40s on Sunday. The winds will bring the real feel conditions down even further. Some areas of this corridor may see the first frost or freeze of the season by early next week.

The arrival of the coldest temperatures of the season for this region will almost certainly drive up energy demand. This is a good time to begin the process of winterizing homes and vehicles.

Chances of Snow

The onset of colder air often carries a greater risk of snow. Snow is in the forecast for some parts of the Midwest and the Appalachians beginning as early as this weekend. Portions of Kentucky and the southern edge of Indiana and Ohio may see snow mix with rain on Saturday. The flakes may fly on Saturday night in West Virginia, upstate New York, and western portions of Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Lake-effect snow is in the forecast for parts of the Great Lakes on Sunday and Monday. The Adirondacks may also see meaningful snowfall on Sunday night. For instance, the higher elevations to the east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario may see snowfall accumulations of 1 – 3 inches on Sunday night.

The long-range forecast indicates a good possibility of multiple snowfall events unfolding in the coming weeks over the southern Plains and into the Ohio Valley and the interior Northeast. The bottom line is that the unseasonably warm weather of the last few weeks is likely gone. Winter is now right around the corner.

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