Early snow could hit parts of the U.S. Northeast as a colder pattern takes hold: And what happens next

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U.S. Northeast faces a colder turn
The U.S. Northeast is heading into a sharp change in weather as colder air spreads across the eastern half of the country. Some areas could experience a temperature drop of around 20 degrees Fahrenheit over just a few days, bringing conditions noticeably below normal for mid-November. The cold arrives as a storm system moves east from the Midwest. Many populated areas are expected to receive rain, while parts of the interior Northeast and higher elevations could see wet snow, including the season’s first accumulating snowfall in some communities. Depositphotos
Polar air pushes into the East
A deep dip in the jet stream will help pull much colder air across the eastern United States. The colder pattern begins developing Wednesday night, November 11, and will spread farther east through Friday. Many communities could experience their coldest temperatures of the season so far. This temperature drop sets the stage for wintry weather later in the week. The colder pattern will reach from near the Canadian border toward the Gulf Coast, affecting a large section of the U.S. Depositphotos
Storm system strengthens Thursday
A strengthening low-pressure system will move east on Thursday, bringing rain, gusty winds, and changing conditions across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The system will carry moisture into increasingly cold air. Rain should dominate where the atmosphere remains warm enough, while colder inland locations may change to wet snow. Higher terrain has the best chance of seeing early-season accumulation. weyo/Depositphotos
Interior New England may see flakes
Interior New England has one of the strongest chances for wet snow as the storm moves through Thursday and Friday. Higher elevations in Vermont and New Hampshire could see accumulating snowfall, while lower-lying communities may experience rain or a rain-snow mix. These inland communities are expected to be colder than many places near the coast. That gives them a better chance of seeing snow during the storm, although totals will depend on local temperatures and precipitation intensity. rabbit75_dep/Depositphotos
Upstate New York enters the snow zone
Upstate New York could see early-season snow, especially across colder inland and higher-elevation locations. Current forecasts favor the best accumulation chances across northern and high-terrain areas as colder air arrives. Valley locations remain less certain, with rain potentially changing to a rain-snow mix or snow later in the storm. Some communities may see little accumulation, while colder elevated areas could receive more persistent snowfall from Thursday night into Friday. sepavone/Depositphotos
Major cities are more likely to get rain
Several major Northeast cities are more likely to see rain than significant accumulating snow with this system.

New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C., are among the locations where rain is favored. Lower-elevation and coastal areas should generally remain warmer than the colder interior and higher terrain. Coastal cities, including Boston, are expected to see mainly rain, although temperatures and precipitation types may change as the storm develops. Significant snow accumulation is more likely in elevated inland areas. Varavin88/Depositphotos
Elevation could change the outcome
Elevation could strongly influence what falls from the sky during this storm. Higher terrain generally becomes colder than nearby valleys, making mountain communities more likely to see snow rather than rain. That difference can show up across short distances. A valley may remain mostly wet while higher ground sees flakes at the same time, giving local elevation an important role in shaping the final precipitation type across mountain communities nearby. Fun fact: Most winter precipitation begins as snow high in clouds, but warmer air below can melt those flakes into rain before they reach the ground. BT1976/Depositphotos
A second coastal system may develop
Forecast uncertainty remains near the coast as the developing low-pressure system is expected to strengthen offshore. Its exact track and intensity will influence where the heaviest precipitation develops and how much colder air moves into the Northeast. A track closer to the coast could increase rain and wind impacts, while a farther-offshore track could reduce precipitation in some communities. Forecasters continue to monitor the storm’s development, particularly where colder air may support wet snow inland. Depositphotos
Thursday brings the main transition
Thursday, November 12, is expected to bring an important weather transition across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast as the storm strengthens and colder air moves into the region. The developing storm will spread precipitation into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast as colder air becomes more established. For many communities, the first noticeable changes will be rain, gusty winds, and falling temperatures. Interior areas may begin to see wet snow as the storm advances, while colder conditions continue to build behind the system across the region afterward. Depositphotos
The cold could linger through the weekend
The colder pattern is expected to continue beyond the storm itself. Daytime highs across much of the Midwest and Northeast could remain in the 40s from Friday through the weekend, with colder conditions in some northern and higher-elevation areas. Parts of the Southeast may also experience unusually chilly weather. That means the change in weather will last longer than one round of precipitation. Even after the main system moves away, many communities could continue to experience temperatures that feel unusually cold for mid-November across much of the East. Depositphotos
Exact snowfall totals remain uncertain
Exact snowfall totals remain uncertain because small shifts in temperature and storm track can change the outcome. Forecasters have greater confidence in the arrival of colder air than in precise accumulation amounts for individual communities.

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This is especially important near the rain-snow boundary. A small temperature difference can turn rain into a mix of rain and snow, so local forecasts may continue to change as the storm gets closer and new forecast data becomes available. thenews2.com/Depositphotos
First flakes may bring little buildup
The first snow of the season does not automatically mean a major accumulation event. Early-season flakes can fall while roads, sidewalks, and ground surfaces remain warm enough to limit buildup. Heavier precipitation and colder surfaces would increase the likelihood of accumulation. Some communities may only see snow in the air, while colder locations have a better opportunity for flakes to collect on grassy or elevated surfaces during the colder periods. Want to see where winter could hit hardest next? Check out which U.S. regions could face the heaviest snow this winter. Depositphotos
The cold reaches far beyond the Northeast
The cold snap will extend far beyond the Northeast, affecting much of the eastern United States. The colder air is expected to reach from near the Canadian border toward the Gulf Coast. Cities across the Midwest and Southeast, including Chicago and Atlanta, could experience a sharp drop in temperatures. Some areas of the Southeast may also face their first freezing conditions of the season as the colder air spreads southward. The broad cold pattern is expected to become firmly established late this week and remain noticeable in several areas through the weekend. Want to know where snow chances could improve later this winter? Take a look at NOAA’s latest outlook for the season. Would you be excited to see the season’s first snow, or are you hoping the cold stays away? Share your thoughts in the comments. This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing. Read More From This Brand:

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