Shot of Winter This Weekend; Some Lake Effect Snow Across Great Lakes

10/1 3am
Forecast Discussion: 

The upper level disturbance which brought a few light showers to the central and northern Valley overnight will begin to work its way off the mid-Atlantic coast today.  Until it does, a quick passing shower can't be ruled out.  Thursday will be our quiet day as we watch our next system develop across the southern plains.  This low will strengthen and rocket northeast into the Great Lakes and eventually into Canada.  It's trailing cold front will push through Friday night bringing with it gusty showers and much cooler air for the weekend.  Temperatures Saturday night will dip into the upper 30s and low 40s across the Valley with sub-freezing temperatures expected across some of the higher western ridges.  With cold-counterclockwise winds on the backside of the departing low blowing over still relatively warm Great Lake waters, some lake effect rain showers may mix with snow across portions of upstate New York and Michigan-----our first lake effect snow event of the season.  The trough over the east will remain in place but relax a bit as we head into next week.  This will allow temperatures to moderate back to right around average for this time of year.

Weekend Lake Effect Snow Potential

Shenandoah Valley 5-day forecast

Today: 75.  Mostly cloudy....Isolated shower chance through this evening...clearing out overnight.

Thursday: 51/79.  Partly cloudy.

Friday: 57/77. Showers along with gusty winds during the evening as cold front comes through.  Will continue into the overnight.

Saturday: 58/67.  Showers ending during the morning.  Partly cloudy with gusty northwesterly breezes. Skies will clear Saturday night allowing temperature to drop quickly.  

Sunday: 39/63.  Very chilly Sunday morning as lows drop right around 40.  Higher elevations of WV down close to freezing.  Pretty chilly day overall as temperatures only warm into low to mid 60s under mostly sunny skies.