Saturday Shaping Up to be a Cold and Wet Day

Posted: March 23, 2023 2:30 pm

The first full weekend of spring could be a bit messy, thwarting outdoor plans and causing travel disruptions. An early spring storm is eyeing a large part of the northern U.S., stretching from Chicago and into New York City for this weekend. This dynamic storm is forecast to deliver a number of impacts, including torrential rain, severe thunderstorms, and even snow.

Incoming Cold Air Sets the Stage for Inclement Weather

These anticipated impacts are the result of the same weather maker that slammed into California on Tuesday and Wednesday. This same system will also be responsible for the threat of severe storms and flash flooding in the south-central portions of the country late Thursday and into Friday.

While it has been a relatively warm week for much of the East Coast, a mass of cooler air is moving into the Northeast to close out the work week. This cold will provide the backdrop for the chance of wintry precipitation across the far northern reaches of this region on Friday night and through Saturday night.

It will be a messy Saturday for tourists in New York City as a cold rain is predicted to move into the Big Apple late Friday night. Saturday’s highs will top out in the 40s with real feel temperatures settling in the 30s thanks to a cold wind coming off of the Atlantic Ocean.

Those in coastal areas should be prepared for minor flooding during times of high tide. This potential will extend from the mid-Atlantic up through New England.

The situation will not be much better heading into southern New England. Boston will be under the gun for a cold rain and a high of just 41 degrees on Saturday. Temperatures will begin to moderate by Sunday, however, gusty winds will make it feel cooler than it really is.

Areas inland from Boston may see a wintry mix of snow and sleet. Accumulating snow will be a potential the farther inland that you travel. The locations most likely to see significant snowfall include a portion of northern Michigan, the Adirondacks, and the central and northern parts of Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire.

Forecast for the Major Great Lakes Cities and Elsewhere

Forecasters are not predicting accumulating snow in the Great Lakes cities of Detroit and Chicago. Detroit is likely to experience rain on Friday night through Saturday thanks to the warm air lingering in the Motor City. Chicago has a slightly higher chance of seeing a few snowflakes mix in with the rain in the overnight hours of Friday and early Saturday.

Moving south down the East Coast, the storm’s leading cold front will trigger showers and thunderstorms beginning Friday evening. Those in this region should be aware of the potential of severe storms with gusty winds. This possible impact zone includes the stretch of the seaboard stretching from Maryland down into Florida.

Strong winds will also be an issue in the area closest to the center of the storm system. Saturday will bring the highest winds throughout the Ohio Valley and the lower Great Lakes. Winds will clock in between 40 and 50 mph with gusts between 50 and 70 mph a possibility. In addition to bringing down trees and power lines, these winds could also create lakeshore flooding.

Travelers should expect widespread airline flight delays and cancellations on Saturday as the storm impacts a number of major airport hubs. This includes the busy hubs in Pittsburgh, Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, Detroit, and Chicago.

The storm will push into Canada by Saturday night. While the winds will linger in the region, the snow will come to an end.

Sunday will bring more pleasant conditions for the bulk of the eastern half of the county. Warmer air from the West and the South will move into the region, bringing the mercury up to more seasonable levels. The winds will also start to die down, ushering in more pleasant conditions overall.

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