A frigid arctic airmass is forecast to bring freezing temperatures to the Eastern United States this weekend, coinciding with the first day of winter (and the shortest day of the year). Wind chills below zero are expected across the Great Lakes and Northeast, while the Southeast will see teens and 20s, according to the National Weather Service, noting temperatures will dip to their lowest levels so far this winter for some areas.
On top of the freezing temperatures, parts of the Northeast will see snow through early Saturday. AccuWeather forecasters noted that there is a good chance the snow will stick until Christmas morning at least in part of the region.
“Conditions around New York City are tricky,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno. “They can get a coating to an inch or two of snow from the clipper storm, perhaps a bit more if the coastal storm tracks farther west, the clipper storm remains active, or they could be in a rip-off zone where nothing to a few flurries occur.”
But the Climate Prediction Center says the cold snap should be short-lived. A map from the center released Friday forecasts above-average temperatures across most of the nation after Christmas.
2024 White Christmas: Forecast predicts what parts of the USA will see snow
Midwest saw up to 11 inches of snow this week
The weekend forecast comes after parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest saw about a foot of snow and high winds.
By Friday morning, the weather service said 6 to 11 inches had fallen in Michigan, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Forecasters urge people to take precautions in affected areas with the arrival of the arctic airmass. In Michigan alone, wind chill will range from 11 to -7 degrees.
