Weekend Storm to Bring First Flakes For Some in New England, Great Lakes, Appalachians (FORECAST)

By Jon Erdman
Published: October 31,2014



 
Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are posted for parts of the Appalachians and snow advisories are in effect in the Great Lakes as the season's first snow targets those areas throughout the weekend.
As of Friday evening, up to 10 inches of snow fell in Presque Isle, Wisconsin and near Three Lakes, Michigan. Wind gusts up to 60 mph have also been reported in parts of Michigan, as well as a 69 mph wind gust in Chicago, Illinois.
(WINTER ALERTS: Appalachians | Great Lakes)

Snow Timing

Given the expected intensity of a southward plunge of the jet stream and the magnitude and depth of cold air pulled with it, we're not simply talking about chilly rain showers, but also accumulating snow for some as well as the first flakes of the season for others.
- Saturday: Additional snow will fall over the Appalachians and parts of the piedmont from east Tennessee and western North Carolina (possibly Upstate South Carolina) north to at least West Virginia. Some wet snow may also linger in parts of eastern Lower Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, western New York. Snow may develop later in parts of northern New England.
- Sunday: Snow, possibly heavy, in parts of northern New England and gusty winds are expected as well.
Heavy snow and high winds into Monday and early Tuesday in parts of Atlantic Canada, from New Brunswick to Labrador.
(FORECAST: Winter 2014-2015)

How Much Snow?

At right is our latest 48-hour snowfall forecast. Keep in mind additional snow may fall beyond the 48-hour window shown in the map. Here are the highlights of that forecast:
- Accumulating snow likely: U.P. and northern Lower Michigan, northern Wisconsin, Appalachians from West Virginia to east Tennessee, western North Carolina, and the mountains of northern New England. A few areas of the Appalachians may pick up 6 inches of snow, or locally more. Totals over 6 inches are possible in parts of Maine (northern or eastern).
- Some chance of accumulating snow: Parts of eastern Wisconsin, southern Lower Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, eastern Kentucky, western/northern Pennsylvania, western/central New York, piedmont of North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina,
- Some possible season's first flake cities: Marquette, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Charleston (WV), Asheville, Caribou (ME)
Be prepared for hazardous winter driving conditions, particularly on bridges or overpasses, if you have plans to check out the fall foliage in the Appalachians this weekend.
(FORECAST: Great Smoky Mountains N.P. | Shenandoah N.P.)
Also, with low pressure intensifying off the Eastern seaboard this weekend, the combination of strong winds and wet snow accumulations may lead to some power outages and downed trees/tree limbs in parts of the Appalachians and northern New England.
Persistent strong winds off Lakes Superior and Michigan will also whip up some impressive waves along each lake's south shore. Lakeshore flood advisories have been posted, including in the lakefronts of Chicago and Marquette, Mich.
Even without any snow, it will be chilly and raw, with highs in much of the Great Lakes and Northeast holding in the 40s, or even 30s in some spots.
(FORECAST: Cold Blast Ahead)

Is This Snow Early?

In almost all locations, this will not be the earliest measurable (at least 0.1 inches) snow on record in the Great Lakes, Appalachians or northern New England. Here are some factoids about the season's first snow.

Detroit, coming off its snowiest season on record, typically sees its first measurable snow around November 15. According to the National Weather Service, measurable snow on Halloween has happened only once before in the Motor City's record, in 1993.
(MORE: Record Earliest Measurable Snow Where You Live | America's Snowiest Cities)
Check back with The Weather Channel and weather.com for the latest on this upcoming snow event.