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Weekend Weather Outlook

December 29, 2019
By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Alyssa Robinette
Several weather systems will bring plenty of weather trouble to the U.S. this weekend.  Everything but the kitchen sink will be found from coast-to-coast. 

Saturday 

A developing low pressure in the Southeast will slowly make its way north along the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts for the start of the weekend.  Early-morning rain will eventually come to an end in the Deep South, while drenching rain will become more widespread across the rest of the eastern U.S.  A mix of snow, sleet and rain could also be found across the higher elevations of the interior New England.   

Rain on the backside of the system in the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes could also transition to wet snow by Saturday evening as colder air arrives.  Any snow or sleet that happens here or in interior New England will generally just be enough to coat the grass. 

A quicker moving clipper system will glide across the northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley on Saturday, also allowing for a few inches of fresh powder. 

Another low pressure system will also be slow to form in the West Coast and Intermountain West.  This will bring rain showers to the immediate coastline of the Pacific Northwest and northern California, while mountain and higher elevation snow is likely for the northern and central Rockies.  A few inches of snow are possible, though the highest elevations could pick up almost a foot of snow. 

If you’re looking for dry weather to pick out a tree or see holiday lights, you’ll have to head to southern California, the Desert Southeast or the southern Plains. 

Wear plenty of layers and stock up on hot chocolate if you’re in the northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley as high temperatures will be lucky to make it into the single digits and teens.  Howling wind will cause it to feel even colder.  Sweaters and winter coats are also a must for anyone in the northern and central Rockies, central Plains, mid-Mississippi Valley and Midwest, with highs only reach the 20s and 30s.  Temperatures will max out in the 40s and 50s in the Pacific Northwest, southern Rockies, Ohio and Tennessee valleys, Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast.  The mercury will soar into the 60s and 70s across the extreme south tier, with a few lower 80s not out of the question. 

Sunday 

The strengthening low pressure system in the Northeast will enter eastern Canada and New Brunswick to close out the weekend.  The East Coast will be slow to dry out though as showers could linger in the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England in the morning, with light snow continuing throughout the day for the interior Northeast.  A few inches of snow are possible, creating the perfect scenery for holiday pictures.  Drier weather will be found in the Southeast. 

The weather system bringing rain and mountain snow to the West on Saturday will propagate east into the central Plains as well as the mid-Mississippi and Tennessee valleys.  Light to moderate snow will fall from the central Rockies and Plains into the mid-Mississippi Valley and Midwest, while rain will soak those to the south.  Several inches of snow could fall along I-70, creating some possible travel headaches for anyone traveling early for the holidays. 

Yet another Pacific storm system will come crashing into the Pacific Northwest on Sunday.  Rain will continue to create a soggy outdoor forecast along the coast, while even more snow is possible for the higher elevations. 

Dry weather will create no worries on Sunday in the Southwest, southern Rockies, northern Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes. 

The most southern U.S. will see highs in the 60s and 70s for the second half of the weekend, while the rest of the U.S. will generally be in the 30s, 40s and 50s.  However, bitter cold temperatures will make those in the northern and central Rockies, northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley want to stay right by the fire.  The coldest spot will be the Upper Mississippi Valley, where temperatures will struggle to reach single digits and teens once again.  The northern and central Rockies as well as the northern Plains will have temperatures during the afternoon in the teens and 20s.