Rain, Wind, Even Wet Snow Will Persist In Eastern U.S.

Jon Erdman
Published: May 6,2017

A slow-moving low-pressure system is moving through the Northeast with rain, gusty winds, and a few areas could get a little wet snow as the first week of May comes to a close.
This storm is a different system than the one that pummeled parts of the U.S. last weekend with flooding rain, tornadoes and heavy snow.
This time, instead of sweeping out of the Rockies, a powerful plunge of the jet stream carved southward from the Canadian Prairie, and will now intensify and become a slow-moving gyre over the East, lingering into next week.

Current Radar, Watches and Warnings

Snow has already been reported in portions of the higher elevations of North Carolina and Tennessee as of Saturday morning. Up to 4 inches of snow was measured at Mount Le Conte in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Forecast Timing

This low-pressure system brought severe thunderstorms and heavy rain to areas near the western Gulf Coast Wednesday and Southeast states Thursday into early Friday. It then moved into the Northeast with heavy rain and flash flooding on Friday.
(MORE: Mid-To-Late Week Storm Recap)
This eastern storm system will continue to slowly track northeastward. Here's a day-by-day look.

Saturday Evening

• It remains windy with showers at times, as the heaviest rain targets parts of Upstate New York and Atlantic Canada.
• A few thunderstorms with gusty winds and small hail are possible into the Southeast.
• Some wet snow is possible in parts of the Appalachians and portions of upstate New York – if the air is cold enough to support it – mainly Saturday night.

Saturday's Forecast

Sunday

• Showers will persist, especially in the interior Northeast and New England.
• Some snow may fall in portions of upstate New York. The higher elevations of Vermont and New Hampshire could also see some snow Sunday night.
• Breezy conditions are likely, especially near the Great Lakes and in New England.

Sunday's Forecast

Monday

A few snow flurries and some cold rain may continue through Monday into Monday night in Upstate New York into northern New England. Accumulations should be light except in the highest elevations of the Adirondacks in northern New York.
(MAPS: 7-Day Rain/Snow Forecast)
In addition, to the wet and breezy conditions, temperatures will also remain chilly. High temperatures will be colder than average for the Great Lakes into the Northeast into next week. The Southeast will also experience cooler temperatures through this weekend.
(MORE: Atmospheric Clog Will Bring Cool Temperatures to the East for the First Half of May)

Potential Impacts

Here are some potential impacts from this late-week storm.

• Heavy Rain: The heaviest rain this weekend will likely be in eastern Maine, where some flash flooding is possible.
• Snow: A couple inches of slushy accumulation are possible in parts of the Appalachians, and potentially in a few areas of the eastern Great Lakes into the higher elevations of northern New England Saturday night into Monday.
• Strong Winds: Some stronger wind gusts Saturday may lead to some local power outages and downed tree limbs in the Northeast. Where stronger winds combine with wet snow, the outage/tree damage potential will be higher.
• Coastal Flooding: At least a period of coastal flooding is possible along parts of the Eastern Seaboard and some lakeshore locations of the eastern Great Lakes. 

Rain and Snow Forecast

Check back with us at weather.com for future forecast updates on this storm.

MORE: Louisiana, Mississippi Billion-Dollar Flood August 2016

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