New England Weather Discussion

(With thanks to the surrounding National Weather Service Offices)

Current Weather Readings:

(FYI: The number in parenthesis below is the change in the last hour)

• Time of the readings below: 20 Dec 2024 10:48 PM

• Current Temperature: 23.1°F (0.1)

• High Temperature for today: 26.2 at 12:01 AM.

• Low Temperature for Today: 22.9 at 9:58 PM.

• Rainfall Today: 0.02 inches

• Current Dewpoint Temperature: 20.4°F (-0.2)

• Hours of Daylight Tomorrow: 9:01

• Highest Heat Index Reading Today: 26.2 at 12:01 AM

  Find ALL of my instrument readings here

  Last Complete Site Update: 12/20 - 6:24 PM

  

  

  New Report: Find the Long Range Winter Outlooks for 2024/2025 in the Special Reports Section.

  Rich`s Weather Discussion

  Light snow started falling here in Peterborough, NH about 4PM and it continues at this time. Snowfall amounts still look light for this system here in NH, but in eastern MA a Winter Weather Advisory has been hoisted. Roads are already slippery so be careful if you are heading out tonight.
  There are Hazardous Weather Outlooks/and Winter Weather Advisories Active this evening.
  See updated Snowfall Estimates here.
  Very cold weather is expected through the weekend with wind chill readings below zero. A more significant snowfall is possible Monday night.
  You can find Travel Maps in the Patterns and Other Information panes below. Stay tuned.
  I expect the morning updates will be later than usual. I hate getting out of bed on cold winter mornings!
  
  On this day in 1940, Captain America made his comic book debut by punching Adolf Hitler in the face, quickly becoming a cultural icon.
  
  

  **NEAR TERM (THROUGH TONIGHT):**
  
  A low-pressure system has moved off the Mid-Atlantic coast and will travel northeast, intensifying tonight along with its associated upper-level trough (a dip in the jet stream). This setup will increase the chances of light snow during the evening and overnight hours, potentially creating slick roads for the evening commute, especially in southwest Maine and southern New Hampshire, where snow has already started.
  
  The track of the low will keep the heaviest precipitation (QPF, or Quantitative Precipitation Forecast) south and east of the region. However, coastal areas and parts of inland southern New Hampshire may still see 1 to 2 inches of fluffy snow. Areas further inland are expected to receive less than an inch.
  
  One area to watch for higher snow totals is southeast New Hampshire and far southwest Maine. Ocean-enhanced snow and increased air convergence along an inverted trough (a localized feature of low pressure) could result in 3 to 4 inches of snow along the Interstate 95 corridor, from coastal York to Rockingham County. Another area of 2 to 3 inches is possible toward the Midcoast.
  
  Around the Augusta region, there is some uncertainty about how far inland the heavier precipitation will extend. The forecast currently reflects a compromise between wetter and drier weather models, resulting in around 1 inch of snow. Snow will taper off from west to east overnight.
  
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  **SHORT TERM (SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT):**
  
  Light snow may linger briefly in the Midcoast region after sunrise on Saturday before ending as the low-pressure system moves into Canada. In the upper atmosphere, a trough (or elongated area of low pressure) will be just west of the region but will gradually move eastward. This, combined with rising air at lower levels due to upslope flow (winds pushing air up mountain slopes), will lead to widespread snow showers in the mountains. Some of these showers may extend downwind into lower elevations with support from upper-level conditions. Cloudy skies are expected south of the mountains.
  
  Winds could gust up to 25 miles per hour, making temperatures in the mid-20s to low 30s feel colder, with wind chills likely in the teens.
  
  Saturday night will be very cold. High pressure will begin building from the west, but strong winds will persist. As temperatures continue to drop with the arrival of cold air, wind chills south of the mountains could fall into the single digits below zero, while the mountains may experience wind chills between 10 to 20 degrees below zero?Äîor even colder at higher elevations.
  
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  **LONG TERM (SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY):**
  
  High pressure will continue to build into the Northeast on Sunday from the Great Lakes. Upslope clouds will linger across the northern highlands with scattered flurries possible. Temperatures at about 5,000 feet above sea level (H8 layer) will remain near 20 degrees below zero Celsius, resulting in very cold surface conditions. Afternoon highs will only reach the single digits to teens in many areas, and wind chills in northern areas will remain below zero due to northwesterly winds.
  
  Sunday night, the high-pressure system will settle overhead. Clear skies, light winds, and low humidity will allow for radiational cooling (heat loss from the surface into space), especially in areas with fresh snow. Overnight lows will range from zero to 10 degrees below zero in the north, with single digits above zero in the south.
  
  Monday will bring a dry but milder day. Southwest winds around the edge of the departing high-pressure system will result in temperatures reaching the teens and 20s.
  
  A "clipper system" (a fast-moving low-pressure area) is expected to bring snow to the region Monday night into Tuesday. It will be cold enough for all snow, and current models suggest the possibility of significant accumulations. This could impact travel during a busy holiday period and will be covered in future updates.
  
  The middle of next week looks mostly dry, though there is a chance another clipper system could develop off the coast and bring additional precipitation.
  
  

  Forcaster`s Discussion
  

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  Site News

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  11/01/2024 - I have posted the Winter Outlook in the Special Reports Section.
  10/13/2024: I have posted some Aurora Pixs in the Visitor Pixs Page.
  10/01/2024: I have transitioned the site to fall and beyond. I will now be reporting regional cold and Flu in the Weather Graphic 3 panel instead of seasonal allergies. I will also be reporting Mount Washington Weather in the climate section eliminating water temperatures. On the stats page I will be setting up the snowfall accumulation page.
  09/29/2024: On Oct 1, I will be transitioning NE 3 from the Allergy Forecast to the Flu & colds forecast. I will also be adding a Snowfall graph to the annual snow/rain data page.
  
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  Regional Synopsis

  New Hampshire and Maine

  SYNOPSIS...
  Low pressure develops off the New England coastline tonight, bringing a period of light snow. Very cold air moves into New England Saturday night and Sunday. After a dry Monday, more light snow will arrive Monday night and Tuesday from a Clipper type system. High pressure will then rebuild over the region Wednesday and Thursday.
  

  Massachusetts

  SYNOPSIS...
  An offshore coastal storm will continue to bring light snow accumulations this afternoon through the early morning hours of Saturday followed by very cold weather into early next week. A weak clipper system moves through Christmas Eve and will likely bring light snow accumulations to the region. Temperatures slowly moderate through the week back into the 30s and 40s
  
  NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY MORNING/...
  
  Key Messages...
  
  * Light to moderate snow will impact much of SNE this evening into the overnight hours dropping 2 to 5 inches of snow.
  
  LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
  
  Key Messages:
  
  * Arctic Airmass continues to bring highs in the 20s and lows in the single digits Sunday into Monday
  
  * Gradual warm-up the rest of the week with highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s
  
  * Weak clipper system moves through Christmas Eve, but confidence is still low
  

See the current readings from my weather instruments here in Peterborough, NH by clicking on the Weather Vane Below.

Weather History for Today