Welcome to the Winter Weather Watch, your daily briefing on winter weather threats across the nation, from winter weather expert Tom Niziol and our team of meteorologists. Bookmark this page and check back for regular updates through spring 2015.
Below you'll find an overview of current and upcoming winter weather systems, as well as links to jump to the latest forecast and current maps and our list of the 2014-2015 winter storm names. You can either scroll down the page, or click on these links to jump to your section of interest.
- Snowfall forecast: Map showing forecast snowfall totals over the next 48 hours.
- Latest winter radar: See where any snow, freezing rain or sleet is falling now.
- Where's the cold: Is cold air building in Canada or Alaska?
- Winter storm names: The entire list of names this season and the science behind how we name them.
Spring Freeze
- A highly amplified jet stream pattern is in full force across the country with a large West Coast ridge and a deep trough in the East.
- This pattern leads to extreme temperatures in both regions with unseasonably cold weather in the East and record warmth in the West.
- Freezing temperatures anticipated for parts of the South where trees and early flowers are blooming Sunday mornings.
- Spotty record lows are possible Sunday morning in parts of the East and Southeast Sunday morning.
More New England Snow
- An inverted or Norlun type trough brings light to locally moderate snow to New England on Saturday.
- Most snow accumulations in the 1-3 inch range, including Boston, but some localized areas may receive upwards of 3-5 inches.
- Snow showers linger Saturday night, but begin to diminish quickly as all snow basically ends by daybreak Sunday.
Northern Storm Track
- A series of disturbances will ride along the jet stream across the northern tier of the US late weekend through next week.
- The first system tracks from the Upper Midwest into the Great Lakes and Northeast Sunday and Monday.
- Light snow is likely with this system north MN to north MI and into northern New England with showers extending into the OH Valley.
- Accumulations continue to remain light, mostly an inch or two at best.
- Yet another weak system brings light rain/snow showers to the Great Lakes into NY/PA Monday night and Tuesday.
Forecast: How Much Snow?
48-Hour Snowfall Forecast
Now: Snow, Sleet, Freezing Rain
Current Winter Radar
Where's the Cold?
Current Temperatures
2014-2015's Winter Storm Names
(MORE: Origin of the Names | Science Behind Naming Winter Storms)
In 2012-2013, there were 27 named winter storms spanning over five months beginning with the post-Sandy Winter Storm Athena in early November and ending with Winter Storm Achilles in early May.
(RECAP: Winter 2012-2013 Named Storms)
In 2013-2014, there were 26 named winter storms beginning in early October with historic High Plains Winter Storm Atlas and ending with a mid-May Rockies snowstorm, Winter Storm Zephyr.
(RECAP: Winter 2013-2014 Named Storms)
Not every winter weather system will receive a name. The Weather Channel has specific criteria in place to determine when we name a particular winter storm. Our two main criteria for naming a winter storm are:
- It is forecast to produce conditions that meet the National Weather Service winter-weather warning threshold(s) over a main population center or multiple states, beginning generally within 48 hours.
- It is forecast to produce winter weather conditions that would be historic, especially unusual, or memorable, beginning generally within 48 hours.
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