As we head down the home stretch of 2016, we’ve got plenty going on in the weather department. In fact, we’re looking at three separate storms over the next seven days. So, let’s get right to it.

Storm #1 impacts the region later today into Tuesday. For the most part, this storm will not be a big deal, with some light rain for much of the region. However, when the precipitation moves in this afternoon, temperatures will be on the chilly side. We may see some flurries or sleet in a few spots, but it should all change to rain by mid-to-late afternoon. That’s good if you’re south of Boston. If you’re north and west of Boston, it’s bad, because temperatures will likely still be below freezing, meaning, we’re looking at some freezing drizzle or freezing rain for much of the afternoon. Warmer air will eventually spread northward, with temperatures rising above freezing as we head into the evening, but it may be close to midnight across central and southern New Hampshire before that happens. The rain ends by midday Tuesday, then we dry out for Wednesday, though it will remain on the chilly side. This brings us to Storm #2.

Storm #2 will impact the region Thursday, and there are still plenty of questions with this storm that we can’t answer definitively right now. What we do know is that a storm will move across the Great Lakes and into central Quebec. A secondary storm system will develop off the Mid-Atlantic coast and head northeastward. How quickly that secondary system develops and where it actually tracks will have a big impact on the forecast. Right now, it looks like most of our area will see mainly rain, with the best chance for some snow across areas north and west of Boston. The farther north and west you go, the better the chance for more snow.That storm heads into Atlantic Canada on Friday and really gets cranked up, which means we’re looking at a windy and cold day. A few flurries are even possible.High pressure builds in for Saturday, before Storm #3 comes calling on Sunday.

Storm #3 is the weakest of the bunch, but that doesn’t mean it won’t cause problems, especially since it’ll be New Year’s Day. The precipitation should start out as snow before daybreak, so if you’re out REALLY late on New Year’s Eve, you may have to watch out. However, it will likely change over to rain across much of the region before ending in the early afternoon hours.

As always, if any of these systems become a bigger threat, we’ll have a more detailed post in advance of it. Right now, the Thursday system is the one we’d be most concerned about that being the case.

Monday: Becoming cloudy with some spotty flurries or sleet around near midday, then some freezing drizzle or freezing rain likely in the afternoon, changing to plain rain across much of eastern Mass by evening. High 27-34 north and west of Boston, 34-41 south and east..

Monday night: Any remaining freezing rain across southern NH and the Merrimack Valley changes over to plain rain by midnight, with light rain and showers across the rest of the area. Becoming windy, especially across Cape Cod and southeastern Mass. Temperatures gradually rise overnight.

Tuesday: Showers ending in the morning, some clearing takes place in the afternoon. Breezy. High 48-55 before midday, then temperatures drop in the afternoon.

Tuesday night: Clear to partly cloudy, still breezy. Low 23-30.

Wednesday: Partly to mostly sunny. High 34-41.

Thursday:Becoming cloudy with rain likely, changing to snow across central/southern NH and into central MA, tapering off and ending late at night. High 37-44.

Friday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine, breezy, chance for a few snow showers. High 32-39.

New Year’s Eve:A mix of sun and clouds, still breezy. Light snow develops towards daybreak, except rain along the South Coast and across the Cape. High 26-33.

New Year’s Day: Cloudy with any snow changing over to light rain across the region, ending late in the day. High 36-43.

What will January bring? Well, at least one model says that temperatures will be above normal, with near normal precipitation. That likely means we wouldn’t see a lot of snow around here.

“I’m dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.”

Sorry Bing, it looks like you’ll need to keep dreaming again this year. It’s not going to be in the 60s like last year, but it’s probably not going to be white either. The week will start off quiet though, which is a welcome change from the rollercoaster we’ve been on for the past few days. High pressure builds in with dry and cold conditions for Monday, but temperatures will gradually moderate Tuesday and Wednesday as high pressure slides off to the south and east of New England. Another system passes to our north on Thursday, with some snow or rain showers expected. High pressure returns for Friday and Saturday, giving us some nice weather for those last-minute trips to the mall, so that you can finally start your Christmas or Hanukkah shopping. As for Christmas Day itself, for now, it looks to start off dry, but another storm system will be moving across the Great Lakes, possibly sending some rain or snow into the region at night. We’ll have more on that system latr in the week as the details become a bit clearer.

If you’re wondering when we might be looking at another snowstorm, you can probably flip your calendar to 2017. The final week of 2016 looks mild for now, though we’ll need to keep an eye on the timeframe around New Year’s Eve, as at least one model is hinting that something could be brewing around then.

 

Monday: Partly to mostly sunny. High 22-29.

Monday night: Clear skies. Low 7-14.

Tuesday: Sunshine and some afternoon clouds. High 28-35.

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy. Low 22-29.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and clouds. High 36-43.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with rain or snow showers possible. High 39-46.

Friday: Plenty of sunshine. High 37-44.

Saturday: Partly sunny. High 40-47.

Sunday: Becoming mostly cloudy, chance of rain or snow at night. High 39-46.

Here at Storm HQ, we’d like to wish a Happy Christmakwanzakah to you and yours! (And a joyous Festivus to the rest of us!)

Well, after a week of sunshine and summer-like warmth in Florida and the Bahamas, it’s back to reality for your favorite forecasters here at Storm HQ. And man, is that reality going to be harsh.

As this post is being written, snow is breaking out across Southern New England, with a change to rain already occurring across the Cape. That rain/snow line will gradually head northward early Monday morning, reaching southern New Hampshire by mid-to-late morning, though we could see a period of sleet and/or freezing rain before everything goes over to all rain. It looks like everything ends by early afternoon. While we’re not looking at a lot of snow, the combination of snow and or mixed precipitation will make a mess of the morning commute, so keep that in mind when you head out the door in the morning.

Once the storm pulls away, high pressure builds in for Monday night and Tuesday, with drier and seasonably cool conditions expected. Wednesday could be an interesting day. Right now, it looks like we’ll stay dry as a storm system passes south of the region. However, some of the models bring the storm a little farther north, which could result in some rain or snow, especially south of Boston. Once that passes by, an arctic cold front will cross the region on Thursday. Some snow squalls may accompany the front, but what’s behind it will get your attention. While Thursday will be a rather chilly day, Thursday night and Friday will feature some of the coldest air so far this season, with lows possibly dropping into the single numbers virtually everywhere Friday morning, and highs Friday afternoon staying in the teens and lower 20s. Wind chills will be well below zero, especially in the morning. The good news is that the cold air will be short-lived. As a storm system heads into the Great Lakes next weekend, south to southwest winds will pump warmer air into the region. Snow will develop ahead of the system on Saturday, but should change over to rain as warmer air moves in both aloft and at the surface. In fact, Sunday could even feature above normal temperatures, though it could also be accompanied by some rainfall. We’ll worry about that storm later i n the week.

Monday: A wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain changing to all rain from south to north during the morning, ending by mid-afternoon. Some clearing developing late in the day. High 36-43 from the Merrimack Valley northward, 43-50 south of the Merrimack Valley.

Monday night: Becoming mostly clear. Low 24-31.

Tuesday: Sunshine and a few clouds, breezy. High 34-41.

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy. Low 21-28.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and clouds, slight chance for rain or snow south of Boston late in the day and at night. High 33-4o.

Thursday: Partly to mostly cloudy, chance for snow squalls. High 21-28.

Friday: Partly to mostly sunny, windy, and cold. High 14-21.

Saturday: Becoming cloudy with snow developing, likely changing to a wintry mix and eventually plain rain at night. High 30-37.

Sunday: Cloudy and breezy with rain tapering off and ending. High 40-47, though there is the potential for temperatures to jump well into the 50s, especially from Boston southward..

By now, you’re probably wondering why the weekly outlook hasn’t been posted, especially since it was snowing. Here at StormHQ, we’re taking a little time off, for a vacation in the tropics. Don’t worry, we’ll be back next week. Until then, enjoy the snow (or complain about it), while we enjoy sunshine and temperatures in the 80s in Florida and the Bahamas.