It was a wet and soggy day throughout the Mid-Atlantic on Friday. The last of the rain is clearing the region Saturday morning with sunshine already peaking through in the western Mid-Atlantic. This sun will make temperatures rise very quickly into the 60s and 70s with gusty winds helping afternoon storms develop. Check out the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) thunderstorm outlook on Saturday. 

Some spring instability thanks to warm temperatures, sun, and gusty winds will develop a line of severe thunderstorms in PA and NY during the afternoon and evening. The line of storms will begin to affect western PA and western NY around 1-2 pm and reach the Finger Lakes and south around 3-4 pm. A few storms will reach northeastern PA and the Catskills around 5-6 pm as well. 

This line of storms will have severe wind gusts over 60 mph and maybe some small hail. Several resorts have already suspended operations in anticipation of these storms so heads up if you are outside. A chance of tornadoes is even possible in coastal NJ and NY Saturday afternoon and evening. Keep an eye on the sky and the OpenSnow Radar for the latest conditions. 

This strong cold front will drop temperatures quickly to the 20s and 30s Saturday evening. Some low temperatures in the teens are likely in NY as well. A few snow showers will develop in the northern and western Mid-Atlantic Saturday evening with a trace - 1 inch of snow accumulations likely. 

Here is a look at the NAM model’s depiction of precipitation type and intensity from 10 am Saturday, April 1st through 8 am Sunday, April 2nd.

The highest probability of snow accumulations of 1 inch will be in western NY toward Holiday Valley and even sneak to Snowshoe in WV. Here is a look at the NAM model's snow accumulations on Saturday night through Sunday morning.

Sunday will clear and dry out, making it a great day to end the season for several resorts throughout the region. Expect high temperatures throughout NY to be in the 30s with some 40s in PA. The skies will be mostly sunny so soak it in! 

Next week on Monday will start mostly dry with rain showers by the evening as the next storm system moves into the region. This area of rain will continue for the northern half of the Mid-Atlantic through Tuesday, April 4th. High temperatures on Monday will be in the 40s and 50s, warming to the 50s and 60s on Tuesday. 

A larger storm will move through the region on Wednesday, April 5th, and bring more rain. This storm will track well to the north and have no cold air and snow behind it. There continue to be some signs of cold air and maybe some snow for next weekend on Saturday, April 8th into next week on Monday, April 10th. A lot of uncertainty remains but it is something to keep an eye on for the few open resorts. 

Here is a look at the Euro model’s predicted upper-level pattern from Friday, April 7th to Tuesday, April 11th.

 

The cool colors show cooler temperatures and favorable conditions for precipitation. 

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend. I will have the next forecast on Monday. 

Zach Butler, Meteorologist for the Mid-Atlantic Daily Snow.

Here are the latest updates on closing dates this season. Several resorts plan to make it to the April 9th/10th weekend and maybe beyond that… 

Project Closing Dates: 

April 2nd - Camelback, PA. Seven Springs, PA. Windham, NY. Snowshoe, WV. 
April 8th - Belleayre, NY. Swain, NY. 
April 9th - Holiday Valley, NY. 

Resorts that are still open with no closing date announcement yet:

NY: Bristol, Greek Peak, HoliMont, Hunter, Labrador, Song

PA: Montage Mountain