Rain for much of the United States, milder temperatures
- Rain is forecast for much of the West and East on New Year’s Eve.
- Temperatures are expected to be above average across most of the country on Saturday.
- The forecast for the central United States is dry and milder than during the Christmas holiday weekend.
Much of the nation could be in for a wet New Year’s Eve.
A storm system that started the week on the West Coast will bring rain to the eastern United States over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Other storms are expected to bring rain and snow to the Pacific Coast and the West.
Showers and thunderstorms could lead to flash flooding from the Gulf Coast to the Carolinas and the Florida Panhandle, according to AccuWeather. Precipitation over snowpack could also cause flooding in the Midwest and Northeast.
“We’re expecting a fairly wet pattern in the western United States. A decent amount of rain is coming in California, and even heavier mountain snow in the Sierra Nevada,” the AccuWeather meteorologist said. Nicole LoBiondo at USA TODAY. “The eastern United States also appears to be humid, with much milder conditions.”
Temperatures in the United States are expected to be warmer than during the Christmas holiday weekend: above-average temperatures in the 70s in Texas and high 80s in Florida. Highs in the 50s and 60s will be common for eastern states. The central part of the United States will be dry with milder conditions.
“So quite a contrast between Christmas and New Years this year, especially in the east of the country, of course,” LoBiondo said.
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What’s the weather like in Times Square?
Times Square revelers to watch the ball drop at midnight EST might have a soggy affair. Showers are likely Saturday afternoon in New York City, with a high near 52, according to the National Weather Service. Saturday evening the chance of rain increases to 90% with ½ to ¾ inch of precipitation possible.
For the evening, “it looks like there is a chance of rain but mild temperatures between 44 and 49 degrees,” Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore told USA TODAY. That’s higher than the average temperature at ball drop, which since 1907 has been 33.7 degrees, he said.
Those watching the ball drop in person will want to dress accordingly. “It’s always a good idea to bring layers and this year a waterproof shell over the layers to keep you dry would be wise,” Cantore said.
Where will it rain on New Years Eve?
The National Weather Service expects heavy rain and snow in the West and the mountains through the end of the week. Southwestern Oregon and northern and central California could receive 3 to 6 inches of rain over the weekend.
An atmospheric river, which channels warm tropical air into precipitation, could develop and increase precipitation. “Northern California, and particularly the San Francisco to Sacramento area and the west-facing slopes of the Sierra Nevada, can be hit with several inches of rain Friday evening through early Sunday,” the meteorologist said. Principal William Clark on Accuweather.com. .
The rain could “weather some New Year’s Eve festivities in the Los Angeles area,” LoBiondo said.
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Showers and thunderstorms are also expected in the lower Mississippi Valley and on the Gulf Coast. Heavy rains will extend north into the Ohio Valley.
Rain could disrupt travel, and water accumulation and reduced visibility could slow highway driving. The mix of hot air and cold ground cover could bring fog and low ceilings that could also hamper air travel, already delayed due to flight cancellations caused by a holiday storm.
Airline hubs in Atlanta, New York and Pittsburgh could experience minor delays caused by rain and thunderstorms on New Year’s Eve, LoBiondo said.
Milder temperatures and rains, she said, could lead to flooding in the Buffalo, New York, area where more than three dozen people died as a result of a blizzard, which dumped about 50 inches of snow in some parts.
Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @mikesnider.
USA Today
