Snow, Massive November Storm Forecast for Parts of US: What Forecasters Know

First snow remains uncertain

A nor’easter could develop this week, potentially bringing the first snow of the season to tens of millions of Americans. The greatest impacts are expected from the Northeast to New England, although only minor disruption to ground travel is anticipated.

The interior Northeast and central Appalachians have the strongest chance of seeing snow, but forecasters do not yet know how much. AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham named Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Syracuse and Binghamton, New York, as places that could see their first flakes.

Coastal cities may see rain

People hoping for snow in major coastal cities may instead see rain ahead of the weekend. Buckingham attributed that outlook to unusually warm Atlantic Ocean waters. The storm is projected to move toward Canada by Saturday. FOX Weather reports that lingering snow showers could remain from rainy Maine through the Appalachian mountains.

Cold reaches across the East

The storm’s development could help set up a major temperature drop across the East later in the week. Afternoon readings around 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degrees Celsius) are expected for more than 110 million people in the Northeast, while overnight lows could fall into the 20s Fahrenheit (-6.6 degrees Celsius).

Hard freezes are forecast for the Midwest, Ohio Valley and South. Nights below freezing are also expected in Tennessee, Alabama and Atlanta.

Freeze may ease fall allergies

The cold snap could bring relief to people affected by fall allergies by ending the growing season. About 80 million Americans experience seasonal allergies that cause sneezing and tearing during the fall. Ragweed is the leading cause of fall allergies, and one plant can release as many as a billion grains of pollen, according to the Cleveland Clinic.