FLOSSI AND THE FROZEN FORECAST

Millions of people across the Midwest, Northeastern United States, and southern Ontario, Canada, were under winter weather warnings as snow squalls moved through Thursday morning ahead of Arctic temperatures blasting through the region with blustery and potentially damaging wind gusts.

After a week of bitterly cold temperatures and days of lake-effect snow, another shot of cold air swept through the Northeast, sending temperatures in parts of the Midwest plunging into the teens, 10 to 20 degrees below normal. Wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour are expected Thursday afternoon into the evening, bringing blizzard conditions to areas with lake-effect snow and making travel treacherous.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service in New York City said Thursday night into Friday would be the coldest night and early morning of the season, especially after accounting for wind chill.

The Farmers' Almanac and The Old Farmer's Almanac have released their winter forecasts for 2024–2025, offering insights into the upcoming season's weather patterns.

Farmers' Almanac Forecast:

The Farmers' Almanac anticipates a "Wet Winter Whirlwind," characterized by rapid-fire storms delivering rain and snow with minimal downtime between events. The Northeast, including New York, is expected to experience a stormy winter with above-normal precipitation.

Snowfall is projected to be more prevalent in interior and mountainous areas, while coastal regions, such as New York City, may see more sleet and rain.

The coldest period is forecasted for late January into early February, with frigid Arctic air causing a sharp temperature drop across much of the nation.

The Old Farmer's Almanac Forecast:

In contrast, The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts a "calmer, gentler" winter, with temperatures above normal and reduced snowfall for most of the United States.

A milder and less severe winter is expected for the Northeast, including eastern New York. However, central and southern Appalachia, the western Ohio Valley, and the Rockies may experience heavy snowfall.

A blizzard warning was also issued for Erie County in Pennsylvania, where winds could reduce visibility to less than a quarter mile on Thursday into Friday. Blizzard warnings were also issued for portions of the Allegheny Mountains, where a couple more inches of snow is possible.