Winter Storm Watches and Warnings for the Southern Plains Today, Rain, Sleet and Snow for Wednesday in the Northeast...

The weather pattern is forecast to undergo changes in the next two weeks with colder air taking control across a large part of the nation and the potential for coastal storms in the east.  Arctic air this morning has produced the coldest weather of the season in New York and across the Northeast.  Lake effect snowfall above 6 inches is forecast across extreme northeast Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania and upstate.  The high today in New York is forecast to reach only 32 degrees which is 19 degrees below the normal high of 51. Red Flag Warnings are in effect across the entire New York tri-state region due to dry conditions and gusty northwest winds.  Winter weather warnings and advisories are posted from Utah to Arkansas including New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma.  Snow, sleet and freezing rain will produce slippery travel conditions in this area.  The travel problems will shift eastward on Monday into Wednesday with heavy rains expected in the Southeast with up to a foot of snow possible by Wednesday night across interior New England.  Wind-driven rain is forecast for New York City on Wednesday.  With the exception for light snow across the Dakotas, snow showers across the Great Lakes and rain in northern California, most of the nation will be dry on Thanksgiving.  It will be cold and windy across the Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley and the Northeast.  Have a great holiday.

George Wright is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist for Wright Weather Consulting, LLC. George is also a meteorologist with ABC News and Cablevision News 12. Our website is WrightWeather.com.