Cold Shot Expected in Northeast as the Rest of Country Stays Mild

Brian Donegan
Published: November 7,2016
Above-average temperatures will be the story across much of the nation this week, but for residents of the Northeast, it will feel like fall from midweek onward. Parts of the region could see some of the coldest air of the season this weekend.
Cities that have not yet dropped to the freezing mark this season have the potential to do so by Sunday morning. If you're not a fan of winter-like temperatures before Thanksgiving, the good news is that this upcoming cold shot will quickly be replaced by warmer temperatures again next week.
(MORE: Records Are In Jeopardy For Latest First Freeze in the Midwest)
An initial shot of cooler air with keep temperatures near early-November averages in the Northeast and eastern Great Lakes midweek, but a more significant blast of colder air will arrive late this week and into the weekend.
This weekend's cold shot will be caused by a southward dip in the jet stream over the Northeast, drawing cold air into the region from Canada. The Great Lakes are still relatively warm, in the mid-50s, so as Northwest winds draw cold air over the lakes, there is the potential for lake-effect rain or snow showers to develop across upstate New York and northwest Pennsylvania.

Saturday's Forecast Jet Stream

Cold air will begin to filter in behind a cold front Friday night across the Northeast. Saturday will be a windy day with highs stuck in the 30s and 40s from Maine through West Virginia. Wind chills will make it feel several degrees colder than the actual air temperatures Saturday afternoon.
(MAPS: Weekly Planner)
Lake-effect rain or snow showers may develop Friday night into Saturday southeast of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, as cold air flows over the relatively warmer lakes. At this time, it does not look like any organized bands of rain or snow will develop due to marginally-cold temperatures aloft.
Any rain and snow showers will likely diminish Saturday night, but the coldest temperatures of the season will take hold into early Sunday. Widespread 20s and 30s are expected, and cities that have yet to see their first freeze of the season may come close to 32 degrees Sunday morning.
This includes the major Northeast cities of Boston, New York City and Philadelphia, where the official observing sites have not recorded a freeze yet but outlying areas nearby have.
(MORE: When Your First Freeze Typically Arrives)

Forecast Morning Lows

Temperatures will return to average Sunday afternoon with highs in the 40s and 50s, but lows will remain a bit below average Monday morning, mainly in the 30s.
This upcoming cold shot may be the coldest of the season so far, but it's only going to last about a day. Above-average temperatures will return once again for much of next week.

MORE: October Snow in the Northeast