An area of low pressure, in the form of an Alberta Clipper, is expected to develop and track northeastward, bringing unsettled weather across a significant portion of the eastern United States late Wednesday. The system will affect areas from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic, including parts of Pennsylvania, and extend into the coastal Northeast. Precipitation will predominantly take the form of rain, with widespread rainfall anticipated across much of the region, including the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and major urban centers such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. As the system progresses northeastward, rain will continue into the coastal Northeast, including Cape Cod and surrounding areas.

While rain will dominate for most locations, wintry precipitation is expected to remain limited to higher elevations and northern regions. In particular, Upstate New York and northern New England are likely to experience snow, with the most significant accumulations expected in the mountainous areas. These regions could see moderate to heavy snowfall, potentially causing travel disruptions and hazardous conditions in the higher terrain. However, the threat of widespread, impactful snow accumulation is largely confined to the higher altitudes.

Much colder air is expected to follow the system on Thursday, ushering in a sharp drop in temperatures across the region. In addition, we will be monitoring a disturbed area of weather moving along the Southeast. There is potential for this system to phase with a shortwave descending from the north. However, significant uncertainty remains regarding the timing and location of this phase. A closer phase could lead to the development of a major winter storm just before Christmas. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and provide updates as new information becomes available.