Far-Reaching Storm System Continues to Shift to the East, Delivering Severe Impacts

Posted: October 13, 2023 12:46 pm

A large storm system is going to dump moisture across an area over 1,500 miles long this weekend, complicating outdoor plans and disrupting travel on a widespread scale. Here is what you need to know about this soggy forecast.

Widespread Storm System Putting a Damper on Weekend Plans for Eastern Half of U.S.

Over 20 states will get in on this rain action in a zone stretching from the Plains, across to the Midwest, and into the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. The moisture will reach the southern edge of New England by the end of the weekend.

The bulk of the activity was focused on the Midwest on Friday. Travelers using airports in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit stayed on top of potential flight delays as a result of the inclement conditions. The heaviest rains were expected for the Black Hills of South Dakota and across the northern Plains with 1 to 4 inches on tap.

Urban flooding is a possibility in the metropolitan areas. You should also be aware of the potential of flooding in areas where fallen leaves have blocked storm drains.

Thunderstorms are likely for areas to the south as the cooler air clashes with the warm air that has been entrenched across the Midwest and central Plains states.

Yet Another Weekend of Rain for the Northeast

The Northeast cannot seem to catch a break in the weather on the weekends. This part of the country has endured several weekends in a row of wet conditions, making it difficult to get out and enjoy traditional fall activities. This trend will continue this weekend with meaningful amounts of rain in the forecast for most of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the northern tier of West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware, and into southern New York state and southern New England.

While the end of the work week will remain calm in this region, the rain and winds will pick up by Saturday moving from the central Appalachians into the upper mid-Atlantic. This zone should prepare for 1 – 2 inches of rain. Unfortunately, it is not looking promising for residents in the Midwest and Northeast to be able to catch the annular solar eclipse due to excessive cloud cover.

The moisture will take longer to creep into southern New England. For instance, Boston is not likely to see any raindrops until later Saturday or in the overnight hours. There is also the chance that the majority of the rain remains to the south of Boston.

New York City will not likely be as lucky. The Big Apple is predicted to see a steady rain throughout the day Saturday, creating the risk of ponding on sidewalks and roadways. Fallen leaves may create slippery conditions.

A mass of dry air anchored to the north will work to keep the moisture out of the northern reaches of New England.

The greatest risk of storm development will be to the south of the weather maker where the warm air is located. This means that eastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula will be the most likely impact area for severe weather packing heavy rain and gusty winds. The storms are forecast to fire up on Saturday afternoon and evening with the heaviest of the moisture moving out into the Atlantic by Sunday.

Colder Weather in Store Behind the Storm

Widespread gusty winds are forecast to come in behind the storm system, bringing the temperatures down in the process. The weather will feel more like November than October as blustery conditions set up across the Midwest before heading into the Northeast on Sunday and Monday. The winds will lead to real feel readings that hover in the 40s and 50s during the daytime hours.

While the large bands of moisture will move out to sea by Sunday, moisture from the Great Lakes will pair with a southward plunge in the jet stream to create cloudy conditions and the chance of spotty rain showers into the new week for the Upper Midwest and beyond. This cool, dreary, and wet weather pattern will feel like a dramatic change after the unseasonably warm September.

Communities that see rain paired with gusty winds may see an end to the fall foliage season as leaves scatter to the ground. However, cloudy and chilly weather without the impacts of heavy rain and stiff winds could speed up the changing of the colors and deliver a brilliant scene.

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