Election Day Forecast Calls for Rain for Much of U.S.

Posted: November 7, 2022 3:12 pm

Northeast and South Will Enjoy Dry Conditions at the Polls

Millions of Americans are going to head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots in the pivotal midterm election. What kind of weather are you likely to encounter in your area of the country? Read on for the details of Tuesday’s forecast.

Wet West Coast

The most problematic weather on Election Day will be in the western U.S. where a significant storm system will continue to hammer the region. The recent parade of storms kicked off again on Sunday in this area of the country with more on tap for the next several days, including Tuesday.

The storm is currently impacting the Pacific Northwest, bringing rain to the lower elevations and snow to the mountains. Forecasters are predicting that the system will spread to the south and the east on Tuesday, bringing a good amount of moisture to the Desert Southwest and portions of the interior West. This could translate to messy conditions as voters try to get to the polls on Tuesday.

This moisture may be particularly disruptive to the Southwest where residents are not typically prepared for this amount of precipitation this time of the year. Be sure to leave plenty of time for travel before the polls close if you live in areas such as Palm Springs, California and Las Vegas.

Sin City is likely to see heavy traffic at the polls as the battleground state of Nevada is expected to see many close races. Meteorologists are advising those in this part of the state to try to visit the polls earlier in the day when there may be some pockets of dry air. The rain is predicted to pick up in intensity later in the day.

The good news for the Pacific Northwest is that it should be a relatively dry day for places such as Seattle and Portland, especially when compared to what the region saw to start the week. However, it will be the opposite story across much of California. Nearly all of the Golden State will be under the gun for precipitation in some form on Election Day.

This rain will also hit the normally dry areas of Los Angeles and San Diego. Forecasters are warning that Los Angeles may record an entire month’s worth of rain on Tuesday alone. The average amount of rain for November in the City of Angels is 0.80 of an inch. Although the weather may snarl travel on Election Day, the moisture will be welcome in this drought-stricken area.

Where the Snow Will Fall

The higher terrains of the West are forecast to see snowfall. This includes much of the Sierra Nevada and well into Utah. Snow will be measured in feet across the top mountain passes of the Sierras.

The Wasatch Mountains to the east of Salt Lake City should also be ready for some snow. For instance, Park City is forecast to see a mix of rain and snow throughout the day with a high hovering in the low 40s. Salt Lake City should remain warm enough to keep the precipitation falling as rain with a high in the low 50s.

Forecast Moving to the East

Looking at the rest of the country, a smaller storm system may bring sporadic rain showers to the northern Plains. Cities that may be dealing with rain throughout the day include Omaha and Minneapolis.

The southeastern coast of the U.S. is expected to be another wet spot. A tropical system brewing out in the Atlantic Ocean will be the culprit for potential rain showers. Forecasters are confident that the rain may hold off until later in the day and into Wednesday. Any rain that does fall in the Southeast on Election Day should be light and sporadic.

Pleasant in the South and the East

Other than the southeastern coastal areas, the majority of the South and the East will see dry and calm conditions. Above average temperature readings and loads of sunshine are in the forecast for cities such as Dallas, Houston, Nashville, and Atlanta.

It will also be dry in the Northeast. However, a cold front will move into the region by Tuesday, ushering in much cooler temperatures. This cold may come as a shock to a region that has been basking in temperatures that have measured as much as 20 degrees above average for the first week of November.

For example, the mercury will fall from a high in the mid 70s on Monday to a high in the mid 50s on Tuesday. While this may seem like a drastic change, these readings are actually normal for this part of the country on Election Day.

Pennsylvania is another battleground state that is expecting record voter turnout. Voters will want to dress warm if they need to wait outside of their polling location. Major cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will see temperatures that land in the upper 30s and low 40s when the polls open for the day.

It may feel even chiller across much of New England thanks to breezy conditions. The arrival of the cold front will trigger these winds, bringing the real feel temperature down into the 40s for the bulk of the day.

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