United States; December 15th, 2025
Appalachian Post
Issued for same-day conditions beginning early Monday morning
NORTHEAST
(Interior New York, New England interior, northern Pennsylvania
The Northeast begins Monday under continued winter influence, with cold air firmly established across the interior and only limited moderation expected as the day progresses. Overnight cooling, combined with existing snow cover in many areas, has set the stage for a cold and slow-to-improve day across much of the region.
Temperatures
Morning temperatures across interior portions of New York, northern Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and interior Maine are expected to range from the single digits to the mid-teens, with colder pockets possible in sheltered valleys and higher elevations. Daytime highs are likely to recover only modestly, reaching the upper teens to upper 20s, depending on elevation and cloud cover.
Coastal and urban corridors may briefly approach the low 30s during the afternoon, but any warming appears shallow and short-lived, particularly where snow cover remains nearby.
Precipitation
Precipitation probabilities remain elevated, especially during the morning hours, with snow favored as the dominant type across interior locations. Snowfall intensity is expected to remain generally light, but persistence may allow for ongoing accumulations or reinforcement of existing snow cover. Near the coast and in lower elevations, a brief transition toward mixed precipitation cannot be ruled out later in the day, though confidence remains higher for snow inland.
Winds
Winds are expected to remain moderate, generally from the west or northwest, contributing to wind chill values that feel colder than ambient temperatures, particularly during the morning commute.
Road and travel conditions
Road conditions across the interior Northeast are likely to remain snow-covered or snow-packed, especially on secondary and untreated roads. While some improvement is possible on major highways during the afternoon, refreeze potential increases again after sunset, suggesting continued travel challenges into the evening.
MID-ATLANTIC
(Central and northern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, northern Virginia)
The Mid-Atlantic sits in a transition zone on Monday, with cold air lingering inland while modest warming attempts approach from the south and east. This balance results in variable conditions across the region, particularly with regard to precipitation type and road impacts.
Temperatures
Morning lows are expected to range from the low teens across northern and central Pennsylvania to the low 20s farther south and east. Daytime highs likely climb into the upper 20s to mid-30s, with warmer readings favored closer to the coastal plain and Chesapeake region.
Despite afternoon warming, surface temperatures may lag behind air temperatures, particularly in shaded areas and locations with lingering snow cover.
Precipitation
Snow is expected to be the primary precipitation type during the morning, especially across interior Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. As temperatures slowly rise, a gradual transition toward mixed precipitation or rain becomes more likely in lower elevations and southern sections. This transition appears slow and uneven, with snow remaining possible longer in inland and higher-elevation areas.
Winds
Winds remain present but generally manageable, with a gradual shift away from northwest flow as the day progresses.
Road and travel conditions
Snow-covered and icy conditions are likely during the morning commute, particularly across interior sections. Some improvement is expected during the afternoon in southern and coastal areas, while northern and higher-elevation zones may see limited improvement, followed by renewed refreeze concerns after sunset.
APPALACHIA
(West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee, western Virginia, southwestern Pennsylvania)
Appalachia emerges as one of the most persistent cold regions on Monday, with terrain-driven cold air retention playing a major role in prolonging winter conditions throughout the day.
Temperatures
Overnight lows across much of the Appalachian region are expected to settle into the single digits to mid-teens, with colder readings possible along higher ridgelines and in sheltered valleys. Daytime highs are likely to struggle into the upper teens to mid-20s, with some lower elevations briefly nearing 30 degrees during the afternoon.
Cold air pooling and limited atmospheric mixing suggest that warming will be uneven and slow, particularly in West Virginia and eastern Kentucky.
Precipitation
Snow remains the dominant precipitation type throughout much of the day, with little indication of a widespread transition to rain. Precipitation intensity appears generally light to moderate, favoring longer duration rather than heavy bursts, which supports continued snow cover and limited melting.
Winds
Winds are expected to remain noticeable, especially along exposed ridgelines, enhancing wind chill effects and reinforcing cold surface conditions.
Road and travel conditions
Road conditions across Appalachia are expected to remain hazardous for extended periods, particularly on secondary roads, mountain passes, and shaded stretches. Daytime improvement appears limited, and refreeze potential increases again Monday night. This region carries a high likelihood of prolonged winter travel impacts throughout the day.
MIDWEST AND GREAT LAKES
(Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri)
The Midwest and Great Lakes region remains firmly under winter control through Monday, with cold air entrenched across much of the region and only gradual, uneven moderation expected during the afternoon. Snow cover, cloud persistence, and limited solar efficiency will continue to play a significant role in suppressing surface temperatures and prolonging winter impacts.
Temperatures
Morning lows across much of the region are expected to range from the single digits to mid-teens, with colder readings favored across northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Areas with deeper snowpack and lighter winds overnight may briefly dip lower, especially in rural and low-lying locations.
Daytime highs are likely to reach the low to mid-20s across northern sections, with upper 20s to low 30s more likely farther south, including Missouri and southern Illinois and Indiana. Even where air temperatures approach freezing, cold pavement and snowpack suggest surface conditions may lag behind atmospheric warming.
Precipitation
Snow remains the dominant precipitation type, particularly during the overnight and morning hours. Snowfall intensity appears generally light, but coverage may be widespread enough to reinforce existing snow cover rather than eliminate it. Any transition toward mixed precipitation appears limited to southern fringe areas and remains uncertain.
Winds
Winds remain steady but not extreme, primarily from the west to northwest early in the day. Wind chill values during the morning hours will feel notably colder than air temperatures, especially across open and agricultural areas.
Road and travel conditions
Road conditions across the Midwest are expected to be variable but challenging, especially during the morning commute. Snow-packed and icy conditions remain likely on secondary roads and less-traveled routes. Major highways may see partial improvement during the afternoon, though refreeze becomes likely again after sunset, potentially reversing gains made during daylight hours.
PLAINS
(North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma)
The Plains region exhibits a pronounced north-to-south gradient on Monday, with colder air persisting across northern sections while southern areas experience more noticeable moderation.
Temperatures
Northern Plains locations remain locked in cold air, with morning lows in the single digits to teens and daytime highs struggling into the teens and low 20s. Farther south, particularly across Kansas and Oklahoma, overnight lows are expected in the teens to low 20s, with daytime highs climbing into the 30s and low 40s.
While southern areas warm more efficiently, cold ground temperatures may limit early-day improvement.
Precipitation
Precipitation coverage appears limited overall. Where present, light snow remains possible across northern sections, while southern areas may experience spotty rain or brief mixed precipitation, particularly later in the day.
Winds
Winds are more noticeable across the Plains, especially in open terrain. Sustained breezes may contribute to lower apparent temperatures during the morning hours.
Road and travel conditions
Road impacts vary widely by latitude. Northern areas are likely to remain snow-covered or icy, while southern sections may see gradual improvement during the afternoon. Refreeze remains possible overnight, particularly in areas that briefly rise above freezing.
SOUTHEAST
(Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee lowlands)
The Southeast continues its transition out of cold air on Monday, though the timing and extent of warming varies by location, especially from north to south.
Temperatures
Morning lows across northern portions of the region, including Tennessee and northern Georgia, are expected in the upper teens to low 20s, while farther south lows settle in the mid-20s to low 30s. Daytime highs rise steadily through the 40s and into the low to mid-50s, with southern Alabama and Mississippi potentially approaching near 60 degrees by late afternoon.
Precipitation
Precipitation is expected primarily as rain, though northern fringe areas may experience brief snow or mixed precipitation early, before transitioning to rain as temperatures rise. Precipitation coverage appears scattered to occasional rather than widespread.
Winds
Winds remain relatively light compared to regions farther north, with a gradual shift toward a southerly component aiding temperature recovery through the day.
Road and travel conditions
Any early slick spots in northern sections are expected to improve quickly by mid-morning, with most roadways becoming wet rather than icy. Travel conditions generally improve throughout the day.
SOUTHWEST
(New Mexico, Arizona, west Texas)
The Southwest maintains comparatively stable conditions on Monday, with temperatures remaining mild relative to the rest of the country.
Temperatures
Morning lows generally range from the 30s to low 40s, with daytime highs climbing into the 50s and low 60s. Higher elevations remain cooler, with overnight freezing still common.
Precipitation
Precipitation appears isolated and light, with rain favored in lower elevations and snow confined to higher terrain. No widespread hazards are indicated.
Road and travel conditions
Road impacts remain minimal outside of mountain passes, where localized snow and ice remain possible.
WEST COAST
(California, Oregon, Washington)
The West Coast remains under seasonable influence Monday, with no major synoptic disruptions evident.
Temperatures
Daytime highs range from the 40s and 50s, cooler inland and warmer along the immediate coast.
Precipitation
Scattered rain is possible, particularly across the Pacific Northwest, while snow remains limited to higher elevations and mountain passes.
Road and travel conditions
Localized slick spots remain possible in mountain regions, but widespread travel disruptions are not anticipated.
ALASKA
Alaska remains firmly locked in winter conditions on Monday, with little meaningful change expected.
Temperatures
Interior regions remain well below zero, while coastal areas generally range from the single digits to teens. Wind chill values remain a concern in exposed locations.
Precipitation
Snow remains the dominant precipitation type where present, with persistent snow cover and minimal melting.
Travel impacts
Travel conditions remain challenging, particularly in interior and northern regions, due to cold, snow cover, and limited daylight.
HAWAII
Hawaii continues under relatively stable conditions.
Temperatures
Daytime highs remain in the 70s, with overnight lows in the 60s.
Precipitation
Scattered showers remain possible, primarily along windward slopes, with no significant hazards expected.
Forecast Confidence: approximately 94%
Weather forecasting is based on the best available data, pattern recognition, and historical behavior of the atmosphere, but is hardly ever absolute; small changes in wind direction, cloud cover, or timing can shift local conditions, especially in complex terrain. Forecasts describe what is most likely to happen, not what is guaranteed to happen, and conditions can always evolve faster or slower than expected.
Appalachian Post 
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