Weather forecast: snow returns as early-December storm eyes Midwest to Northeast, with lake-effect belts still hazardous

A fresh round of wintry weather is unfolding to start December, with light-to-moderate snow redeveloping today in parts of the Great Lakes and a larger storm set to spread snow and a wintry mix from the Midwest into the interior Northeast on Tuesday. The setup favors messy commutes, renewed airline de-icing delays, and locally dangerous travel where lake-effect bands persist.

Snow today: where it’s falling and who sees impacts first

• Great Lakes: Lake-effect snow continues in favored belts downwind of Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Ontario. Heaviest daytime bursts target the Lake Michigan shoreline and interior snow belts, where quick 1–2 inch per hour rates are possible under narrow bands.

• Upper Ohio Valley/Lower Great Lakes: Scattered snow showers and embedded heavier squalls can briefly drop visibility and coat roads with a quick 0.5–2 inches, highest north of major rivers and on higher terrain.

• Temperatures: Most areas stay at or below freezing, allowing fresh accumulation on untreated surfaces. Evening refreeze will slick up secondary roads and bridges.

Travel takeaway today: Expect rapid changes over short distances—bare pavement one mile, whiteout the next—especially along and just inland of the Great Lakes.

Early-week storm: how much snow is expected Tuesday into Wednesday

A broader system organizes tonight and Tuesday, tapping Gulf moisture and throwing it into colder air to the north. While exact bands will wobble, the most likely outcome by late Tuesday is:

• Interior Northeast (Catskills, Poconos, Berkshires, Green and White Mountains, interior Maine): 4–10 inches, with localized higher totals over ridges.

• I-81 corridor (PA/NY) and interior New England valleys: 3–6 inches, mixing at times toward the southern end.

• Major I-95 cities (DC–Baltimore–Philadelphia–NYC–Boston): Predominantly rain or a sloppy mix; slushy coatings to 2 inches possible north and west of city centers early, changing to rain for most daytime hours.

• Ohio Valley/Lower Great Lakes (Cleveland–Buffalo–Rochester–Syracuse): 2–6 inches from the synoptic snow, then additional lake-effect into Wednesday that can boost totals in narrow corridors.

• Upper Midwest/Great Lakes (Chicago–Milwaukee–Grand Rapids): Another 1–4 inches from clipper energy and lake enhancement, highest north/northwest of city centers.

These ranges reflect the most likely scenario; small track shifts will move the rain/snow line and reshuffle local totals.

Winter storm warnings and what they mean for you

Where heavy snow is likely, winter storm warnings and advisories are being hoisted on a rolling basis. Key points for planning:

• Warning ≠ statewide: Alerts are county-specific and hinge on local thresholds. A warning county may border an advisory county—don’t assume uniform conditions.

• Timing beats totals: A “modest” 2–4 inches can be high-impact if it hits during rush hour. Expect the most significant disruptions Tuesday morning inland Northeast and Tuesday afternoon/evening around remaining lake belts.

• Lake-effect lag: After the main shield passes, bands can redevelop and pinwheel for 6–18 hours, prolonging poor travel in familiar snowbelts.

Airports, roads, and transit: how to navigate the next 48 hours

• Air travel: De-icing queues will lengthen during any steady snow. Build extra connection time, enable push alerts in your airline app, and anticipate gate/timing shuffles during peak waves.

• Roads: Plow cycles struggle with narrow, intense bands. Ramps, bridges, and untreated residential streets are the first to glaze. Slow down, avoid abrupt lane changes where ruts grab tires, and carry an emergency kit if traveling longer distances.

• Transit: Platforms and stairs turn slick late day; footwear with traction and a few extra minutes can prevent falls.

Snowfall totals so far and why some spots were hit harder

The Thanksgiving weekend system produced hefty totals from eastern Iowa into Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and swaths of Michigan, with widespread half-foot-plus amounts and localized higher pockets under persistent bands. Two ingredients explain the extremes:

1. Lake enhancement: Cold air flowing over relatively warm lake waters turbocharged snowfall rates near shorelines.

2. Band persistence: Stationary or slowly drifting bands repeatedly targeted the same neighborhoods, creating sharp gradients over just a few miles.

Those hardened layers are now the base for today’s coatings—expect slick compaction and polished ice where traffic has packed snow smooth.

What to do now: quick safety checklist

• Commuters: Leave early and assume 1.5×–2× normal drive times during active snow.

• Homeowners: Pre-treat steps and walkways; clear curb cuts before the evening freeze.

• Parents/Schools: Watch for early dismissals inland on Tuesday where bursts coincide with pickup time.

• Businesses: Stagger shifts where possible to avoid peak band timing; refresh roof and awning snow/ice protocols.

• Everyone: Keep phones charged, pack a scraper/brush, and top off washer fluid rated for subfreezing temps.

Looking ahead

Colder, drier air filters in behind the midweek system for a brief cleanup window. Another weak clipper may brush the Great Lakes late week with flurries, but no immediate signal points to a blockbuster storm in the short term. Use the midweek lull to widen lanes, clear storm drains, and restock ice melt before the next pattern change.

Snow is back in the forecast—lighter, band-driven today near the Great Lakes, then a broader swath of accumulating snow for the interior Northeast on Tuesday. Plan for slower commutes, watch for rapidly changing conditions under bands, and expect de-icing–related flight delays where snow is steady.