First winter storm of season to bring ice, snow to northeastern US in final days of 2015

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

December 26,2015; 9:45PM,EST

 

 

A quick shot of cold air following record warmth on Sunday will lead to the first widespread ice and snow event to the northeastern United States late Monday to Tuesday.
The storm unleashing severe weather, ice and blizzard conditions across the south-central United States this weekend will reach the Northeast as the end of the year approaches.
While temperatures will soar back to record levels on Sunday, the passage of a cold front will quickly knock down temperatures down to more seasonable levels for the first time since the pre-Christmas cold shot.

The fresh cold will set the stage for more widespread snow and ice to fall than with recent storms in the Northeast from central Pennsylvania northward later Monday into Tuesday.
Elsewhere in the mid-Atlantic, the storm will remain a rain event. This includes in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
It is not out of the question that sleet mixes in around New York City at the rain's onset, but any wintry mix will be brief and not cause road issues.
"The worst travel conditions in the Northeast will be Monday night into Tuesday morning," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson. "Roads that will not be treated will become treacherous and people may not be aware of the hazardous situation."
Those heading to work on Tuesday morning should allow for extra time. Flight delays and cancellations are also possible.

Record-challenging warmth for the Northeast

From central Pennsylvania to southern New England, Anderson is more concerned for travel hazards on bridges and overpasses. Warmth stored up in the ground from the record warmth will keep roads and sidewalks warmer than the air temperature.
"People will become more aware Tuesday afternoon of the dangers and roads should have plenty of treatment by then," said Anderson.
"In central and eastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey along the Interstate 80 and 84 corridors, there will be a period of sleet and freezing rain that will transition to rain," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.
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Wintry mix will be brief around Buffalo before the changeover to rain, while there will be a more prolonged period of snow to sleet along the I-90 corridor from Rochester to Syracuse, New York.
"In southern New England, there will be snow or sleet to start late Monday morning with more sleet than freezing rain into Tuesday morning," added Anderson.
"There will be a transition to rain, but that changeover will be slower to occur in the interior." Such a changeover will be quick along the coast.
"Should a heavy amount of freezing rain occur in some areas versus sleet, there could be downed trees and power outages to contend with," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun.

Before the changeover to rain, Boston should record its first measurable snowfall of the season.
The same can be said for Worcester, Massachusetts, which already broke the record for the latest date of measurable snow. The previous record was Dec. 24, 1923.
More substantial snow is expected in northern New England with amounts ranging from 6-12 inches in northern Maine and neighboring parts of Canada, resulting in snow-covered roads and treacherous travel.
The snow will add to what will fall as this Christmas weekend comes to an end, which will be a boon for the ski industry.
As quick as the fresh cold and winter storm arrives, milder air will return to close out 2015. However, seasonably colder air should usher back in for the start of the new year.