Christmas Weekend Forecast

It is dry for the champions already tailgating for the Pats-Jets game today.   This will change in the next 1-2 hours and rain will continue through the first half of the game.   Coach Belichick often defers to the 2nd half when the Patriots win the coin toss.  If you have anything to do outside it would be wise to make a similar choice.  Skies will clear this evening so Santa will not need Rudolph in the Northeast but he will in other parts of the country.

NFL Archive photo Pats-Jets Thanksgiving 2012

General Overview

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Northern Worcester County and the rest of Western Mass.  Northern CT with the exception of Windham County.   Freezing rain would appear to be the biggest threat at the higher elevations so if your holiday travels take you west drive carefully.  Temperatures are hovering near freezing outside of 495 and north of the Pike to 395.  

NWS Headlines Saturday 12-24-16

The cold front that will bring the rain to SNE is moving quickly.  It has started as snow in Southwestern Worcester County but this should flip to rain very quickly.  Circled in the Southwest is the most important weather maker for the country during the next 48-72 hours.  The arrow in Canada is a shot of cold air for Christmas night.

NWS/NOAA/NCEP Water Vapor Satellite and Surface Fronts 815 Sat AM

Here is the regional radar as of this AM.  There is plenty of precipitation to fall in the next few hours.

NWS Northeast Regional Radar 818 AM

Short Term Forecast

Somewhat amazingly, considering all the NFL teams based in the Northeast, the Pats-Jets is really the only game to feature bad weather today.  The Giants/Eagles played Thursday, the Jets are obviously on the road, Buffalo is clear, Pittsburgh-Baltimore play tomorrow and the Redskins are in Chicago.  

Here is the simulated radar for 1 PM.  

13z HRRR simulated radar Saturday 1 PM (image Weatherbell)

But look at this.  By 3 PM the rain is pretty off the SNE coast.

13z HRRR simulated radar Saturday 3 PM (image Weatherbell)

Max temperatures today top out in the low 40's.  Temperatures tonight drop into the upper 20's as clear skies allow the atmosphere to cool efficiently.  

NWS min temps Christmas AM (image Weatherbell)

As the front passes Sunday AM a few sprinkle is possible.  The big story is to our west as a powerful storm will move through the Rockies and will blast the upper plains with a blizzard.  A strong Arctic high is positioned to the NW of the storm which will create dangerous winds.  SD and ND are expected 70 mph wind gusts.  

WPC Surface Fronts/Precipitation Sunday 7 AM

Max temps will still be around 40 on Christmas Day but we will see a crash right around kick off for the Ravens and Steelers (430 PM).  Temps will drop into the teens for most of the region and into the single digits in the interior. 

NWS Min temps Christmas Night-Monday AM (image Weatherbell)

It looks like one hell of storm in the center of the country,  1-2' of snow is expected in ND/SD.

WPC Surface Fronts/Precipitation Sunday 7 PM (Image Weatherbell)

Speaking of big storms I have to mention a potentially devastating typhoon heading right for the Philippines.  The island nation is bracing for a Cat 3/4 storm on Christmas Day.  I'll be thinking of the Filipino's and the tough holiday they will have.   Merry Christmas to all and thank you for making this the best year for the ZG Weather blog yet.  

NOAA/NWS/NCEP rbtop IR sate Typhoon Nock-Ten

  

-Zack Green