Several blasts of Arctic air will send temperatures plummeting for the eastern half of the lower-48 from late this week into the upcoming weekend, continuing through the first week of December.

This evolving weather pattern will favor intrusions of Arctic air moving moving into eastern parts of the United States, sending temperatures well below normal [and by far, the coldest air of the season thus far]. The 6–10-day temperature outlook [the first week of December] concurs, showing this pattern change, and strongly favors below normal temperatures for areas along and east of the Mississippi. The strongest likelihood of below normal temperatures extends from the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes into the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

**6-10-day temperature outlook**
![6-10-day temperature outlook](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/6_10_day_temperature_outlook_e491e33d0a.jpg)

**6-10-day temperature outlook Southeast**
![6-10-day temperature outlook Southeast](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/6_10_day_temperature_outlook_Southeast_3cb0e9ac23.jpg)

The first push of truly cold air arrives in the Southeast just after Thanksgiving, on Friday. This strong cold front will deliver a widespread, hard freeze to the region with low temperatures from Saturday through Monday well below freezing. By Monday morning, teens are possible across Tennessee, northern Mississippi, northern Alabama, northern Georgia, western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. [Note: morning lows below freezing will continue beyond Monday morning.]

**Saturday morning low temperatures**
![Saturday morning low temperatures](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Saturday_morning_low_temperatures_58d8d71010.jpg)

**Sunday morning low temperatures**
![Sunday morning low temperatures](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Sunday_morning_low_temperatures_70361d56af.jpg)

**Monday morning low temperatures**
![Monday morning low temperatures](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Monday_morning_low_temperatures_1f5c8cdcbb.jpg)

Through the upcoming weekend and early next week, wintry precipitation for the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic isn't too big of a concern with quite a bit of dry air in place with this strong Arctic high pressure building in. The one exception is across the southern Appalachians where light snow is possible Saturday night and Sunday morning along the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. Only minimal accumulations are forecast for the highest elevations.

Heavier snow is forecast farther north across parts of the Great Lakes. This is where the typical snowbelt zones [on the eastern side of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario] will see significant lake effect snow over the weekend into early next week as very cold, Arctic air [at the surface and aloft] moves over the relatively warm, ice-free Great Lakes.

**Great Lakes water temperatures**
![Great Lakes water temperatures](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Great_Lakes_water_temperatures_0c33b27578.png)

The continuous westerly flow of Arctic across these warm waters will dump snow in the feet range in localized areas. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect over the weekend into Monday for these areas.

**Winter Weather Watch**
![Winter Weather Watch](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Winter_Weather_Watch_2eccfbedb3.jpg)

Travel will likely be significantly impacted in and around the watch area.

6-10-day temperature outlook Southeast

Several blasts of Arctic air will send temperatures plummeting for the eastern half of the lower-48 from late week into the upcoming weekend continuing through the first week of December.

Arctic blast to send temperatures plummeting, heavy snow likely

The 2024-25 ski season is officially underway at Sugar Mountain Resort [North Carolina]. Sugar Mountain Resort is the first resort to open in the Southeast.

**Photo taken from the lift today [Friday, November 22]**
![Photo taken from the lift today [Friday, November 22]](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Photo_taken_from_the_lift_today_Friday_November_22_18bd44ec43.jpg)

To kick off the opening day, the mountain and resort picked up a fresh half a foot of fresh, natural snow overnight into Friday morning.

Photo taken from the lift today [Friday, November 22]

The 2024-25 ski season is officially underway at Sugar Mountain Resort.

Ski season kicks off in the Southeast, first resort opens for 24-25 season

As we wrap up November and move into the first week of December, it is definitely going to feel like it [like winter] for most of the country.

Cold air continues to build over western and central parts of Canada. A weather pattern that will favor chunks of this cold air bleeding south into the lower-48 is forecast to set up next week [Thanksgiving week] continuing into the weekend and first week of December. Numerical guidance suggests several shots of chilly air will move in. The coldest temperatures [temperatures well below normal] look to impact the northern U.S Rockies, Northern Plains and central parts of the country, the Great Lakes and East [including the Southeast].

The latest temperatures outlook from the Climate Prediction Center agrees and favors below normal temperatures for most of the country from around Thanksgiving and into the first week of December. This is depicted by the blue colors on the graphics below. The medium and dark blue colors indicate a strong likelihood of temperatures leaning below normal while the orange colors depict temperatures leaning above normal. [Please note these maps do not indicate how far above or below normal - but it is likely temperatures will be well below normal for the areas mentioned above - this includes the northern U.S Rockies, Northern Plains and central parts of the country, the Great Lakes and East and Southeast.]

**6-10 day temperature outlook**
![6-10 day temperature outlook](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/6_10_day_temperature_outlook_aef7a8e171.jpg)

**8-14 day temperature outlook**
![8-14 day temperature outlook](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/8_14_day_temperature_outlook_b30ff8ea27.jpg)

It is probable that moisture will overlap the cold air at times leading to wintry precipitation. It is too early to identify which areas will see what and how much but at this time it appears the Great Lakes, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Midwest, Northeast and Rockies have a good chance to see snow at some point during this timeframe. Some guidance has hinted at the potential for wintry mischief for parts of the South and Southeast [but this is a low probability with high uncertainty] so keep checking back for updates.

8-14 day temperature outlook

A cold, possibly snowy weather pattern is setting up for parts of the U.S.

Cold weather pattern setting up for most of the U.S.

Another storm system will impact parts of the Pacific Northwest Thursday night and Friday bringing strong wind gusts [potentially damaging in some cases] to western Washington.

This low pressure will skirt the coast of Washington Friday [which due to the proximity of the low to the coast] will bring the strongest winds to this part of the Evergreen State. Coastal Washington and parts of the northern Olympic Peninsula could see wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph on Friday. Farther inland across the Olympic Peninsula, wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph will be felt. Other areas that could see the higher gusts of 45 to 55 mph include the San Juan Islands and the foothill communities and ridgelines. Around Seattle, including Tacoma and Everett, wind gusts should be less, more in the 25 to 35 mph range but a 40 mph gusts cannot be ruled out on the north side and south side of Seattle. The strongest winds are expected during the second half of Friday. [It should be noted that these winds are the strongest gusts expected. The wind gusts won't be this high throughout the duration of the event and these are the high-end gusts that are possible.]

**Friday's maximum wind gust forecast**
![ Friday's maximum wind gust forecast](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Friday_s_maximum_wind_gust_forecast_22c6cf8f54.jpg)

The wind from this system is not forecast to be as strong as what the state saw on Tuesday and Wednesday but the forecast wind gusts will be strong enough to cause more power outages and lead to additional tree and branch damage especially with the trees that are weakened from the Tuesday/Wednesday wind event paired with the saturated soils.

Please be cautious if large trees surround your home, do not hike or run in the forest with the strong winds and prepare in case you lose power.

 Friday's maximum wind gust forecast

Another storm system will impact parts of the Pacific Northwest Thursday night and Friday bringing strong wind gusts [potentially damaging in some cases] to western Washington.

More strong, potentially damaging, winds moving into western Washington

The official start of winter is a month out, but a true taste of winter will be felt tonight across the Southeast with chilly temperatures and even snow for parts of the northeast Georgia mountains and mountains in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

A strong upper area of low pressure is centered over the Great Lakes, sending reinforcing shots of cold air and pieces of energy [or lift] south and eastward. This is the case tonight with a reinforcing cold front blasting through the southeast along with a strong piece of energy rotating southward into the Carolinas on the backside of this upper low.

The lift associated with this robust piece of energy will manage to squeeze out any moisture in the atmosphere tonight, and with temperatures being cold, the atmosphere will support snow for the mountains of western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and even into the mountains of northeastern Georgia. Enough snow is forecast that accumulations are likely along the North Carolina, Tennessee state line where a few to several inches will fall by Friday morning. 

**Simulated radar tonight [Thursday night]**
![Simulated radar tonight [Thursday night]](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Simulated_radar_tonight_Thursday_night_75a59601ec.jpg)

Because of the snow accumulations, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect tonight through Friday morning for these locations. Adding to the snow accumulations, will be strong wind gusts up to 50 mph. This will lead to whiteout conditions [at times] for the highest elevations. Travel will be disrupted for mountain roads within the Winter Weather Advisory. If you must travel in these area, follow all traction and chain laws.

**Winter Weather Advisory Thursday night through Friday morning**
![Winter Weather Advisory Thursday night through Friday morning](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Winter_Weather_Advisory_Thursday_night_through_Friday_morning_dc24fb2378.jpg)

Snow accumulations will generally be in the 1 to 3 inch range below 5,000 feet in the mountains but above 5,000 feet, 4 to 8 inches are possible, favoring the ridge lines. The heaviest snow accumulations are forecast for the highest peaks along the North Carolina/Tennessee state line [4-8 inches] with the lightest accumulations in the northeast Georgia mountains [generally under an inch].

**Modeled snow accumulations**
![Modeled snow accumulations](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Modeled_snow_accumulations_c38f4d2f29.jpg)

This is great news for the ski resorts in the area!

Simulated radar tonight [Thursday night]

A taste of winter tonight with snow in the forecast for parts of northeast Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Snow tonight for parts of northeast Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee

Tropical Storm Sara forms in the Caribbean Thursday afternoon. Sara has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and is currently moving west at 12 mph. This general westward motion is expected to continue through the end of the week and over the upcoming weekend, but the system will slow to a crawl before moving more northward and picking up speed early next week.

**Thursday afternoon update on Sara from the NHC**
![Thursday afternoon update on Sara from the NHC](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Thursday_afternoon_update_on_Sara_from_the_NHC_6deddf1bad.png)

**Sara's forecast cone from NHC**
![Sara cone](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Sara_cone_2c9a2386fc.png)

This westward jog over the next 72 hours is good news for interests in the Gulf of Mexico and in Florida. A westward motion will allow Sara to interact with land, including land with higher terrain, disrupting the center of circulation, leading to an overall weaker system.

Sara is forecast to move into the southwestern or south-central Gulf of Mexico early Tuesday as either a Tropical Depression or low-end Tropical Storm. This is really good news for Florida. Earlier indications were that a high-end Tropical Storm or potentially a Hurricane could impact Florida around mid-next week if the system passed between Central America/Mexico and Cuba. Now, it's probable that Sara will encounter the land of Central America and Mexico so a weaker system in the Gulf is looking more likely early to mid next week meaning a weaker system, if not just a rain maker with an associated frontal system, could be what's in the cards for Florida around next Wednesday.

This is still a ways out so subtle changes in track and intensity can lead to larger forecast changes so keep checking back for updates. Sara is the 18th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Sara cone

Tropical Storm Sara forms in the Caribbean Thursday afternoon. Sara has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and is currently moving west at 12 mph.

All blogs

Arctic blast to send temperatures plummeting, heavy snow likely

Ski season kicks off in the Southeast, first resort opens for 24-25 season

Cold weather pattern setting up for most of the U.S.

More strong, potentially damaging, winds moving into western Washington

Snow tonight for parts of northeast Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee

Sara forms in the Caribbean