It was the 3rd warmest December on record and 5th warmest year on record in the Hudson Valley, according to the long-term weather station at Poughkeepsie.

Will it be a case of new year, new weather pattern? Maybe so! Read on…

A moderate-to-heavy snow storm will unfold in parts of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and southern New Jersey on Monday — all of whom will see their first inch of snow before New York City and Boston as well as parts of the Hudson Valley! Go figure.

While this storm will likely narrowly miss the Hudson Valley to the south, it’s still worth watching for any last minute northerly adjustments. There are some indications that flakes could fly as far north as the New York City area.

A system later in the week may take a more northerly track.

New Zealand sheep talking about sharing their wool with Hudson Valley residents who will soon face colder weather 🐑

Here’s the week ahead at a glance:

The main feature of interest is a potential coastal low pressure system on Thursday night and Friday. The disturbance that may eventually help drive the storm is currently located in the Gulf of Alaska, so it will take a few more days until a more specific forecast becomes possible.

Before then, there will be a near-miss with a snow storm on what will be a cold Monday — in fact, it will likely become the first day with a sub-30 degree high temperature so far this fall/winter.

High pressure will build in for Tuesday, bringing a cold morning and plenty of sunshine for a change. A southerly air flow will develop, seeing the high temperature jump 10 degrees compared to Monday.

There is a chance for just a bit of rain on Wednesday as a cold front approaches from the west. Thursday will be a bit colder and windier.

🌨️ Friday is one to watch. It’s still early and the forecast is far from etched in stone, but the early indication is that snow is more likely during the first half of the day.

A particularly cold pocket of air will arrive on Saturday via Alaska 🥶

Another front may approach on Sunday.

Looking further ahead, a surge of Arctic air is possible early in the week of January 10th. While this may initially come with mostly dry and cold weather, a trend toward more unsettled conditions is possible around the 15th ❄️

Frigid air (🔵) will be unleashed from Alaska, reaching the Northeast from time to time

Travel tales from a land far away

This past week, my fiancée and I had the pleasure of exploring the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island.

The northwestern part of the South Island is oft-forgotten by tourists who are more commonly drawn to the wilds farther south.

For those that enjoy the outdoors, there’s much to see and do — from beaches, natural springs, and wineries, to sea-drowned valleys called the Marlborough Sounds, all amid what is typically the sunniest part of the country.

Here are just a few of my favorite photos from the week. You can find many more on Instagram.

Inside one of several caves at Wharariki Beach

Te Waikoropupū Springs — the visual clarity (249 ft) is 2nd highest in the world to Blue Lake (272 ft), also in New Zealand

Spotted by drone: a private beach hidden behind a ridge

The endless arms of the Marlborough Sounds

Have a great week and I’ll certainly be in touch if Friday is looking snowy 🌨️

BenNollWeather

Focusing on Friday