November is bringing a mixed bag of weather across the country, but some regions could have a much colder feel as the month progresses. While temperatures won’t necessarily plunge everywhere, seasonal changes are starting to become more noticeable, particularly in areas where colder air is more likely to settle in.
The outlook also points to some significant differences in precipitation from one part of the country to another. Some regions are expected to see more rain than usual, while others could stay relatively dry. With Thanksgiving approaching, a few areas may get an early taste of winter weather, even if widespread snow isn’t in the forecast.
Colder Weather Could Settle Into Several Regions
According to Chad Merrill, senior meteorologist for AccuWeather, the Northwest, far northern Rockies, Dakotas, Upper Mississippi Valley, Great Lakes and Northeast are expected to see less precipitation than average in November. In a statement exclusive to Men’s Journal, he shared that these areas could also experience below-average snowfall, but that doesn’t mean winter weather will stay completely out of the picture.
A late-November system could bring wet snow to parts of the Great Lakes and interior Northeast, especially closer to Thanksgiving. The higher elevations of the Adirondacks and Green and White Mountains could see some accumulation, along with a few locations near the eastern Great Lakes. For the rest of the Northeast, rain is more likely than snow.
The Mountain West could also see some snowfall during Thanksgiving weekend. That could give higher elevations another reminder that the season is changing, even as much of the country continues to experience more typical fall conditions.
Looking at the week of Oct. 25-31, AccuWeather expects some snow in the highest elevations of the northern Cascades, Sierra and Rockies. A few snow showers could also develop in the western Dakotas, although little to no meaningful accumulation is expected.
Other Regions Could See a Different November Pattern
While colder conditions are a possibility across parts of the northern United States, other areas are expected to deal with a wetter pattern. Much of California, with the exception of the far southern portion of the state, is forecast to receive above-average rainfall in November. Mountain areas could also pick up more snow than usual.
An onslaught of Pacific storms is expected to move into California during the first week of November. The Southwest and central Rockies are also forecast to see above-average precipitation, including rain and mountain snow. That could help build an early snow base in the mountains, giving skiers and snowboarders something to look forward to as the season gets underway.
Farther east, eastern Texas, the Southeast, northern and central Florida, the Carolinas and southern Mid-Atlantic are also expected to receive more rainfall than average. AccuWeather warns that a few flooding events are possible in this region, especially during the middle and latter portions of November.
As for ice, there isn’t much concern at this point. AccuWeather doesn’t expect icy conditions in any part of the country during the Oct. 25-31 period. That’s in line with the National Weather Service’s long-rang outlooks, as well.
The bigger takeaway for November is that winter won’t arrive all at once. Some northern and higher-elevation areas could get an early taste of snow, while other parts of the country remain focused on rain. For anyone hoping for a colder start to the season, the northern tier and Mountain West are among the regions to watch.
