A series of storms in the coming days could bring snow to regions in the Midwest and East that have yet to experience winter weather this season, potentially causing travel disruptions, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
While lake-effect snow will continue to blanket areas from Michigan to New York, a dip in the jet stream will usher in waves of cold air from central Canada, creating opportunities for snow accumulation in other parts of the country.
The cold front will not only push temperatures down across the Midwest and eastern U.S. into mid-December but also guide some storms into these regions. Although many of these storms will struggle to gather sufficient moisture, some areas could still see snow accumulation, particularly outside of mountainous regions and near the Great Lakes.
This weekend, a narrow band of snow is expected to develop over the central Plains Friday night, moving eastward through the mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys.
While most areas will see little to no accumulation, places like St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, could see minor snowfall, particularly on grassy surfaces. Wet roads and elevated surfaces may become icy, especially in Kentucky, southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
On Saturday night into Sunday, the snow will intensify over the West Virginia mountains, potentially accumulating up to 6 inches in some areas.
However, this snowstorm will struggle to make a significant impact farther east, where temperatures are expected to remain above freezing, especially in Virginia.
Sunday will bring drier conditions to the region as the storm moves away from the Appalachians, possibly reducing the chances for snow in cities like Washington, D.C.
Throughout the weekend, lake-effect snow bands will continue to cause travel problems downwind of the Great Lakes, potentially closing roads and stranding motorists.
Next week, AccuWeather is tracking a larger storm, an Alberta Clipper, which is expected to move from western Canada to Lake Superior by Monday and Tuesday.
The storm’s path will bring a mix of snow and rain to areas from Minneapolis to the Northeast. While the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic, and southern New England are likely to stay on the warmer side of the storm, there will still be chances for snow or rain/snow mix in these regions, particularly from late Tuesday through Wednesday.
Cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee may experience snow from the clipper, while Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston could see a mix of rain and snow later in the week. However, long dry stretches within the storm will reduce the chances of sustained snowfall.
Looking further ahead, meteorologists are monitoring the possibility of a larger snowstorm around December 9-11, which could track from the southern Plains to the East Coast. This storm could gather moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, potentially causing significant snowfall and travel disruptions, or it could remain weaker and pass out to sea with minimal impact.