This December has featured hyperactive weather in Southern New England. Storm after storm has brought snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain our way, with above normal snow totals for the month, and way more precipitation than is typical. It has also been relatively cold, with a couple of early-season Arctic blasts – including the one that has carried into this weekend. The good news is there are changes on the way has we get closer to Christmas.
Look for very slow warming over the next couple of days as the temperature reaches the upper 20s to low 30s on Friday with sunshine and a northwest breeze that will not be as strong/bitter as it was on Thursday. The temperature falls to the teens again Friday night under clear skies. While it will not be as cold on Saturday, it will still be a chilly day with highs only in the mid 30s under a veil of clouds that may dim the low-hanging sun on the first day of winter.
Sunday is the pick of the weekend with some sun and highs in the low to mid 40s. It will warm to near 50 on Monday with dry skies. Expect a slightly cooler stretch Tuesday and Wednesday, but there are no weather concerns for Santa.
Highs will be in the 40s on Tuesday and low 40s on Wednesday. A passing rain/snow shower is possible late Wednesday night as a disturbance moves through Northern New England. The pattern favors dry weather into next weekend.
Looking further ahead, the action could pick back up again before the start of 2020. There are signs of stormy weather in the December 29-31 time frame. It’s something to keep an eye on, but by no means is anything imminent. Long-range models keep the it near normal or relatively cold for the next 30-45 days. That does not mean it will be frigid all the time, but it’s likely that it will feel like winter more often than not.