Burst of cold air, lake-effect snow to motor across midwestern, northeastern US Thanksgiving weekend

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

November 23,2017, 2:25:14PM,EST

 

 A quick dose of cold air with lake-effect snow will race across the Upper Midwest and into the northeastern United States this weekend.

While harsh conditions are forecast to hold off until after the Black Friday shopping rush in most locations, those heading out this weekend with hopes of avoiding big crowds will have to bundle up and some may have to drive over snow-covered roadways.

This weekend's cold episode will pale in comparison to the blast that hit on Nov. 9-11, when the lowest temperatures of the season so far were established.
However, the cold shot will follow a brief period of surging temperatures to end the week and may pack a shock as a result. It may feel 40 degrees colder from one day to the next.
Spotty rain showers may mark the leading edge of the cold air in some locations.
As the cold air takes root, a brief period lake-effect snow will develop. A few inches of snow may fall where the bands of lake-effect snow persist.

For the most part, accumulating snow will occur in narrow zones and only affect a fraction of the region. The snow may still pose problem for those traveling long distances.
Motorists venturing along portions of Interstate 75, I-79, I-80, I-81, I-90 and I-196 may encounter sudden changes in visibility due to snow squalls.
As is often the case, the burst of cold air will first invade the northern Plains and the upper Great Lakes region on Friday. Ahead of the cold shot, temperatures will climb into the 40s and 50s F from Chicago to Detroit and Cincinnati.
The lake-effect snow will first target the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the western part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan from late Friday to Saturday.
Saturday will be the colder of the two weekend days over the Upper Midwest as warmth will approach from the Plains as early as Sunday in some locations.
Gusty winds will add to the chill throughout the northeastern quarter of the nation.
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AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will dip into the single digits and teens at times across the northern tier and the teens and 20s farther south over the lower Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley.
As the cold air rolls along, lake-effect snow is forecast to develop over parts of southwest Ontario, western and northern New York state, northern and western Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio from later Saturday to Sunday.
There is a chance that a brief snow shower will reach as far south as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston by Sunday.
In the Northeast, by far, Sunday will be the colder of the two days this weekend.

RealFeel temperatures will range from the teens across the northern tier to the 20s to lower 30s over much of the mid-Atlantic on Sunday. The cold feel will follow Saturday highs in the 50s to near 60 along the I-95 corridor.
Away from the traditional snow belts near the Great Lakes, most of the region can expect good travel conditions for the journey home this weekend.
A substantial warmup, that may last a few days, will progress from the North Central states to the Northeast next week.