Lake-Effect Snow Favors Great Lakes While Northeast Highlands Pick Up Modest Accumulations Late Week

Snow remains limited across most of the country through Friday, with the main chances focused on lake-effect bands near the Great Lakes and higher elevations in the Northeast later in the week. Significant ice is not expected, with the overall probability staying very low nationwide.

Cold air arriving behind a departing low will set the stage for lake-effect precipitation over the Great Lakes region on Wednesday and Thursday. The relatively warm lake waters will help fuel snow or rain-snow bands as the chillier air moves in.

The Huron Mountains in Upper Michigan, away from the warmer shoreline, stand out with a greater than 50 percent chance of at least 4 inches of snow. Surface temperatures will be coldest in those inland higher spots, supporting better accumulation.

A northerly flow along the long axis of Lake Michigan could generate a stronger band of rain or snow into northwestern Indiana from Thursday evening into early Friday. Temperatures will be marginal, yet a narrow zone of modest wet snow remains possible overnight if precipitation rates climb high enough.

Farther east, periods of light to modest snow are expected over the higher terrain of the Northeast as leftover moisture combines with cooler air arriving from the west-northwest. The best chances sit in the mountains rather than lower elevations.

Snow will favor the Adirondacks of New York, especially on the higher slopes where accumulations are more likely. Travel impacts should stay minor overall in this area.

Across the Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the chance of at least 4 inches exceeds 50 percent above roughly 3500 feet. Minor impacts are likely on those elevated roadways.

Outside the Great Lakes and the higher Northeast terrain, little to no snow is anticipated through Friday. Most other regions will stay free of winter precipitation during this period.