() – The first snowflakes of the season will fall in some parts of the Northeast as cold air and stormy weather finally seep into the region following a historic drought and unusual fires.
But don’t expect a winter wonderland and don’t get carried away by the headlines and hype. This fall’s unusual and persistent heat will prevent long-lasting snow scenes, unless you live on top of a mountain.
The storm that will bring snow to the Northeast already brought it to parts of the Midwest. Chicago recorded nearly 3 inches (7 centimeters) of snow early Thursday, the city’s snowiest November day in five years, according to data from the National Weather Service.
The flakes were still flying, but were beginning to slow down early Thursday afternoon in other parts of Illinois and some areas of Indiana.
Dry areas of the Northeast have already received a much-needed round of rain, while parts of Pennsylvania and New York brace for the first batch of snow of the season.
Ongoing precipitation in the region this Thursday afternoon will gradually mix with snow and turn to sleet in elevated areas of Pennsylvania and southern New York overnight. This sleet will fall overnight and could be heavy at times before beginning to taper off Friday afternoon.
Snow will have to fall in large amounts to accumulate more than 3 centimeters (about an inch). This is because the recent period of unusual heat in the Northeast has kept the ground much warmer than it should be in late November. It is difficult for snow to stick and accumulate on surfaces that are not cold enough.
Areas 1,500 feet (457.2 meters) or higher are more likely to see some snow accumulation, perhaps up to half a foot (15 centimeters) at higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, N.Y. York.
Lower altitude areas will have to face a different problem. Sleet could melt quickly as it reaches warm ground and form ice sheets in areas where air temperatures drop below freezing later Thursday.
This can cause slippery patches on roads, especially at night.
Major population centers like Philadelphia and New York City will likely stay out of the winter conflict and any precipitation will fall as rain.
Snow will also affect areas outside the northeast. The West Virginia mountains could receive the brunt of the event, with snow expected to continue there through Friday and part of Saturday.
Any snow that does accumulate will likely melt quickly as highs over the weekend will reach between 4 and 10 degrees Celsius across much of Appalachia and the Northeast.
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