2:30 PM | An active weather pattern next week as the upper-air transition continues
Paul Dorian
Discussion
The upper-level flow over North America is undergoing a significant transition and this will lead to a stormy weather pattern next week in a good portion of the country. One storm will ride up the east coast later Monday into Tuesday likely bringing rains to the I-95 corridor region from DC-to-Philly-to-NYC. There is an outside chance that if the precipitation sneaks in early enough on Monday, there may be a little sleet and/or snow in parts of the Mid-Atlantic region for a brief time. Another storm will pound the western states early next week producing snow in many of the higher elevation locations.
The strongest storm of the week will affect the Upper Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region on Christmas Eve (Wednesday) and into Christmas Day. The Mid-Atlantic region will be on the warm side of this storm with periods of rain likely on Wednesday possibly heavy at times. There is even the chance for some thunderstorm activity to form on Wednesday; especially, in the southern and eastern portions of the Mid-Atlantic (e.g., Delmarva Peninsula, coastal New Jersey). The winds will become quite strong on Wednesday and they will remain strong on Wednesday night and Thursday following the system. Colder air will move in behind the storm on Wednesday night and Thursday and snow showers are possible in the Mid-Atlantic region to go along with the strong winds. A significant lake-effect snow event is likely in the wake of the storm on Christmas Day in the typical areas just downstream of the Great Lakes (e.g., western NY).