The coldest stretch of weather in nearly three years continues into early 2018. A bit of light snow is possible on Saturday afternoon and evening as a weak disturbance passes south of New England. It will be dry and bitter for New Year’s Eve and Day. We’re watching the potential for a bigger storm around Thursday of next week.
The disturbance moving by on Saturday will spread snow showers or light snow over RI and SE MA between about 12 pm – 10 pm. The snow looks very light, but with temperatures in the low 20s, it may fluff up to a couple of inches, especially near the coast. The map below represents a 10:1 snow ratio, but it’s more likely to be 20:1 because fo the cold air. So, instead of an inch of “normal” snow, there will be two inches. My forecast is for a coating to 2″, with the higher totals near the coast.
Very cold weather returns on Sunday and lasts through the New Year. It may be the second coldest NYE on record in Times Square, with temperatures in the 8-12° range at midnight. Wind chills will be below zero. It will be the same story in Providence and Boston. Highs will be in the teens on Monday, even with sunshine. It stays very cold and dry Tuesday and Wednesday.
There are signs that a strong storm will develop off the Eastern Seaboard in the middle of next week. It’s too early to say how it will impact Southeastern New England, but a significant snow/wind event is one of the possible outcomes. I’ll keep you posted.
The Euro weeklies continue to show the cold weather easing by mid-January, with relatively mild weather in the second half of the month and early February. Don’t expect to wear tank tops and flip flops, but we should get out of the deep, deep freeze.
