Halloween Forecast Calls for Unseasonably Cold Weather for Much of the U.S.

Posted: October 27, 2023 1:55 pm

Halloween is just around the corner. For most Americans, this holiday on October 31 includes a number of outdoor activities. Whether that be trick-or-treating, attending a Halloween parade, or warming up with a steamy mug of apple cider, the weather will play a significant role in your enjoyment of this day. Here is how the forecast is shaping up for this Halloween.

Northeast to See Wet and Chilly Conditions

It will likely be a wet and chilly Halloween for much of the Northeast. While it has been beautiful the last several days, a cold front is expected to push through the region by the beginning of next week. This will bring down the mercury while increasing the chances of moisture.

Families headed out to trick-or-treat will want to pack an umbrella for the evening. A warm jacket or coat will also be a necessity as temperatures are expected to take a significant tumble by Tuesday. For instance, the northern reaches of New England will only see highs that top out in the low 40s on Halloween. Overnight lows will plummet into the 20s and 30s.

The interior portions of the Northeast will see widespread highs in the 50s on Tuesday. The popular Halloween town of Salem, Massachusetts is bracing for highs in the 40s on Halloween with even cooler readings after sunset. This part of the region will also see a chance of rain showers, further complicating outdoor plans. The change in the weather will be even more dramatic when compared to the unseasonably warm weekend.

Mostly Dry for the South

While it will be a bit chilly throughout the bulk of the South, conditions should remain mostly dry. This will be a continuation of the weather experienced over the weekend. A weak front is predicted to make its way across the region beginning Monday, bringing down the temperatures slightly from Sunday’s high. However, you can expect the temperatures to remain right at the historical average for the end of October.

The primary exception to the dry pattern will be in parts of Florida. Some of the coastal areas could see a few scattered rain showers on Tuesday. Be sure to check the hourly forecast before heading outside for the evening so that you can dress appropriately.

There will also be a slight cooldown in store for the Gulf Coast just in time for the holiday. This will translate to highs that level out in the 60s in the coastal region with temperatures hovering in the 50s headed to the north and into the south-central U.S.

Arctic Air Will Bring Unseasonably Cold Weather to the Midwest and Great Lakes

A mass of Arctic air plunging down from Canada will create bitterly cold conditions for a large swath of the Midwest, the northern Plains, and the Great Lakes by Halloween. Temperatures will end up between 10 and 20 degrees below the historical average for Halloween this year.

Trick-or-treaters in major cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Louis will want to dress with layers under the costumes. For instance, Kansas City is forecast to see a high of just 42 degrees on Tuesday with overnight lows dropping all the way to the 20-degree mark. This will make for some chilly trick-or-treating weather for all of those ghosts and goblins.

It will be even colder across the northern Plains. The high in Bismarck, North Dakota on Tuesday is a bone-chilling 25 degrees. Overnight lows will drop into the low teens.

Some of this region will also be dealing with gusty winds that bring the real feel down further. The good news is that an area of high pressure set up over the region will support mostly dry conditions.

The only notable exception to the dry weather will be in the area just downwind of the Great Lakes. A spurt of lake-effect snow could be part of the Halloween festivities.

Unsettled Weather for the West Coast

The West Coast will see an unsettled weather pattern heading into the new week, potentially impacting Halloween activities. The snow that impacted the Cascade Mountains, the northern Rockies, and the northern Plains last week will move on, ushering in a pattern of dry weather for the interior West. However, the cold conditions will remain anchored over the area on Tuesday.

Cooling temperatures are also in store for the Southwest. For example, the highs will top out in the low 80s for Phoenix. While this will still be the nation’s hot spot, it will not be hot enough to impede outdoor activities.

Seasonable conditions are expected for the Pacific Northwest for the holiday. Seattle is forecast to see a mix of sun and clouds with highs hitting the low to mid 50s, typical for the end of October in the Emerald City.

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