6:39AM
DAYS 1-5 (JANUARY 3-7)
Pacific flow has decided to dominate the pattern across the US for now, but we remain with split jet stream flow most of the time with a polar branch in southern Canada and a subtropical branch over the US. These streams are generally out of phase and send their own systems out way with no major storm formation because of the lack of phasing. Look for this pattern to go on for now, the arctic air held at bay in Canada most of the time, but also no major winter warm ups either. There are frequent passages of disturbances, one such today with spotty light snow/rain with insignificant impact this morning before it clears up, a slightly stronger system that comes along in the subtropical jet and delivers some rain Saturday as it will be milder at that time, although the bulk of that system may stay just south of the area, and a third system which will approach at the very end of the period by late Monday, having colder air to work with, bringing some risk of snow by Monday night.
Forecast details…
TODAY: Cloudy this morning with areas of light snow southern NH and northern MA with a coating of snow possible in some locations, and scattered rain/snow to the south with no snow accumulation. Clearing this afternoon. Highs 39-46. Wind S up to 10 MPH this morning, shifting to NW this afternoon.
TONIGHT: Clear. Lows 22-29. Wind NW up to 10 MPH shifting to SW.
FRIDAY: Sunshine filtered by high clouds at times. Highs 41-48. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clouding over. Lows 30-37. Wind SW up to 10 MPH early then calm.
SATURDAY: Cloudy. Rain arriving morning, may start as freezing rain interior higher elevations. Rain continuing afternoon but steadiest south of I-90 while areas to the north see more intermittent and lighter rain. Highs 38-45. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.
SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Lows in the 30s. Highs in the 40s morning, falling to 30s afternoon.
MONDAY: Increasing clouds. Risk of snow at night. Lows in the 20s. Highs in the 30s.
DAYS 6-10 (JANUARY 8-12)
Low pressure expected to cut across the region with a snow to rain situation January 8 but details of the storm track are still uncertain. Further south and it’s a colder storm, further north and it’s even milder. Windy, colder, risk of snow showers behind the system January 9. Fair and more tranquil but chilly January 10. The next round of unsettled weather is possible January 11-12.
DAYS 11-15 (JANUARY 13-17)
More of the same. Unsettled weather to start the period, a shot of colder/drier weather follows, then will watch for another passing disturbance later in the period.