It is certainly unseasonably warm in New England this morning, with many seeing temperatures in the mid to upper 50’s, reaching 60 in some locations. This is attributed to a warm front on the leading edge of a large low pressure system centered just north of New England. This warmth will be short lived, however, as the system runs it's course.

As we head through the course of the day today, rain showers will filter in ahead of a well-developed cold front. The heavier precipitation resulting from this front will pass through the region later this evening and overnight. However, due to the deep trough of cold air following behind this front, temperatures can be expected to drop dramatically into the early morning hours of Sunday. The tail end of the precipitation will likely turn to snow due to this drop in temperatures, producing a couple inches across northern New England, with slightly greater totals possible acrorss the higher elevations.

As mentioned earlier in the week, this drastic drop in temperatures could lead to some detrimental conditions on the slopes for Sunday. Icing will be likely after the significant melting we will see today followed by an immediate cold snap. Please be aware of these impending conditions before you head to the mountains this weekend.  

For the start of the work week, a period of high pressure will sit over the northeast as colder, more seasonal temperatures return to our region. Many will see daily highs in the mid to upper 40s, while overnight lows will again begin to drop below freezing.

Later next week, a similar setup to the system that we are about to see the impacts of will make its way toward the northeast, again looking like a rain maker followed by colder temperatures. However, changes are likely to come with that system in future forecasts.

Julia Moreland, Undergraduate Plymouth State University/New England Daily Snow