A collection of weak low pressure areas and moist regions accounts for a disorganized-looking weather map. When there are a lot of weak systems each competing for available moisture, it is quite difficult to time individual events. On the other hand, since we are dealing weak, disorganized systems, the chance of anything drastic happening is reduced. However, since there could be enough snow almost anywhere between Michigan and Massachusetts (as well as places south of this zone) to cause slippery conditions, it will be a good idea to use extra caution if you will be out this afternoon and tonight... just in case.. The video shows more and discusses some intriguing storm possibilities for later this week and beyond.

One issue for the Thursday night to Friday night period along the East Coast is whether disturbances in the south and north interfere with or enhance one another. If they interfere, the storm won't be any big deal. If they add to each other, there could be heavy snow along the New England coast, as well as significant snow and/or rain for the Middle Atlantic states.

This picture shows the assortment of small weather features over the northeast third of the country, each able to cause spotty snowfall.

Now, a note about Weather Person's Day:

Feb. 5 is weatherperson's day, marking the birth of one of the first weather prognosticators, John Jeffries, on this date in 1705. In our work, we're under high pressure to help people weather the storms of life, and sometimes offer a bit of philosophy. That's tough because people are so variable they aren't always clear. Some people are full of bluster but have no direction. Some are sunny; others are real drips. Some like to give things away; others are cumulists. One person will give you a cold shoulder while others put up a warm front. Some people like lots of visibility; others have more humidity. We just try to be enlightening. If I'm boring, people's ice glaze over and they're ready to fall back to sleet. Hopefully I can bring flurries of laughter. At least maybe I establish the proper climate for deciding if problems will be mist or they're cirrus. If they do get cirrus, our forecasts follow a warning trend. My basic aim is to rain in the main weather factors to help precipitate the right decisions. If the forecast is flaky or I try to snow you, you can't crystallize your ideas on what to expect. That leads to storms of protest, especially if people think they're in a fog. If I don't condense the details, your interest evaporates (like now). Then troubles really accumulate. The forecast? Lakes through the Appalachians: cold and now but slightly milder air will come in later this week. We will not keep the stratus quo. There could be snow from Pennsylvania to Maine on Friday. After a warmup early next week, colder weather is likely. After that, there could be some snowstorms. Of course, for a weatherperson to state he or she has high confidence in storms 10 days away is a good invitation for that weather person to weather storms of protest or gales of laughter if it does not happen.

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