New Year's Forecast: East, West and South to Ring In 2017 Wet or Snowy

Jon Erdman
Published: December 28,2016
We've reached the end of another year, and it's time to ring in 2017.
(2016 RECAPS: Top Weather Stories | Weirdest Weather | Best Photos)
Fortunately, we're not forecasting a major winter storm or, for our southern friends, a bout of severe weather for the New Year's holiday weekend.
However, there will be a clipper system moving through the Midwest and Northeast, as well as an area of low pressure moving into the South. Two additional low-pressure systems will impact the West, which could also lead to some holiday headaches.
Let's break down the forecast for this holiday weekend.
(MAPS: 7-Day Rain/Snow | Forecast Highs and Lows)

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve Forecast

• Light snow will spread from the Great Lakes into at least the interior Northeast by evening. 
• Rain, possibly with embedded thunderstorms, looks likely in the lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley and Ohio Valley.
• Valley rain and mountain snow showers are possible Saturday into Saturday night in the Four Corners/Desert Southwest and southern California.
• Another system may bring snow to much of the Pacific Northwest, possibly to some lower elevations as well, with rain along the coast on New Year's Eve.
• Temperatures will be near to above average from Texas into the Midwest and Northeast, while cooler-than-average conditions are expected in much of the West.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day Forecast

• Light snow is possible in parts of northern New England.
• The Interstate 95 corridor looks mainly dry from Boston through Baltimore during the day.
• Rain and thunderstorms are expected for much of the South and northward into the Ohio Valley. Most of Florida will likely stay dry, with the exception of the panhandle.
• Rain and mountain snow are expected along the West Coast from Washington to northern California. Snow will spread into the inter-mountain West and Rockies. Rain and snow will also persist in Arizona and New Mexico.
• Much of the Great Lakes, upper Midwest and Plains should be dry.
• A mild start to the year is anticipated from the Plains to the East Coast, while temperatures will likely be near to below average for the West.

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