by Vermont – Early December is settling in with a firm, wintry hand as a stubborn cold pattern continues across the region. With temperatures dipping well below freezing and wind chills frequently near zero, residents are stepping into a weekend where light snow, icy surfaces, and a renewed cold snap could shape plans more than expected. While major storms remain out of the picture for now, timing and temperature profiles may still create travel concerns, especially from Saturday afternoon through early Monday.
Snow Showers Possible as Moisture Meets December Cold
Meteorologists are tracking a weak disturbance pressing toward the area this weekend, carrying just enough moisture to spark a 30% chance of light snow showers on Saturday afternoon. While totals are expected to stay light, the setup has the potential to cause disruptions because surface temperatures remain so cold that even minimal snowfall can freeze quickly on untreated roads.
A southerly wind shift could briefly enhance lift against nearby terrain, allowing snow showers to thicken at times. Elevation-dependent changes are also possible. Higher ridges may see steadier bursts, while valley locations experience intermittent flakes mixed with patchier activity. Still, forecasters emphasize that the system remains modest.
A meteorologist noted in discussion that:
“This isn’t a major storm by any measure, but it’s the timing that matters. Light snow during busy weekend hours is often enough to create slick conditions, especially after a deep cold stretch.”
With many people traveling for errands, early holiday shopping, and seasonal events, roads could quickly turn slippery—even with minor accumulations.
Cold Snap Deepens Into Sunday and Refreezing Becomes a Concern
After Saturday’s light snow chance, colder air reinforces itself overnight, pushing lows back into the teens. Any slush or melt from the day will likely refreeze rapidly, and shaded roadways, overpasses, and rural routes may transition into hard-to-spot ice patches before sunrise.
Sunday brings quieter weather overall, but temperatures remain well below seasonal norms. Highs may only reach the mid-20s, allowing little opportunity for natural melting. While skies could brighten at times, the cold will stay locked in place, sharpening wind chills and keeping surfaces frozen long after precipitation ends.
Refreezing is one of the season’s earliest recurring hazards, and even experienced drivers can be caught off guard when a previously damp road suddenly becomes a sheet of black ice. Public safety officials often remind residents that clear pavement isn’t always safe pavement during prolonged cold snaps.
Early Next Week: More Wind, More Cold, and Another Chance for Snow
A fresh disturbance approaches Monday, raising the chance for another round of snow showers, especially into the evening. While details continue to develop, the latest trends point toward gusty winds up to 25–30 mph, which could lower visibility during periods of flurries.
Read Also: Small Sunday Rain Chance, Big Cold Change—Columbia Prepares for Frosty Nights
This pattern marks a broader early December theme: frequent weak systems, persistent cold, and small-but-impactful snowfall events that collectively make travel challenging even without major storms. With nighttime temperatures moving into the single digits in some areas, residents should ensure vehicles, outdoor equipment, and emergency supplies are winter-ready.
For now, the region sits in a steady winter rhythm—light snow at times, deep cold most days, and just enough weather variability to keep residents checking updates frequently. And with long-range models hinting at more organized storms later in the month, this weekend’s system may simply be a preview of a more active winter ahead.
Five-Day Outlook
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, snow showers after 1 p.m.; high around 30°F
- Sunday: Partly sunny and cold; high around 24°F
- Monday: Partly sunny, snow showers at night; high around 19°F
- Tuesday: Partly sunny; high around 29°F
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, breezy; high around 35°F
What Do You Think?
Share your thoughts in the comments — are you hoping for more snow this December or wishing the cold would ease up a bit?
