New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania Face Quick-Hitting Clipper Bringing Tuesday Snow With White Christmas Potential

ALBANY, N.Y. — A fast-moving Alberta Clipper is expected to move across the interior Northeast on Tuesday, bringing accumulating snowfall to the areas most favorably positioned for wintry impacts — upstate New York, interior Massachusetts, and northeastern Pennsylvania — with lingering snow potentially setting the stage for a White Christmas in some communities.

Forecast data shows the core of this system tracking inland, keeping the heaviest and most consistent snowfall away from coastal zones and instead focusing on higher elevations and interior valleys where colder air remains firmly in place.

Most Impacted Areas Based on Current Data

The highest confidence for accumulation is centered on upstate New York, which appears to sit directly beneath the most persistent snow band as the clipper passes through.

• Upstate New York: Widespread light to moderate snow is expected, with 1–4 inches possible from western sections through the Mohawk Valley and into parts of eastern New York. Snowfall should develop early Tuesday and taper off by evening.
• Interior Massachusetts: Areas west of Boston, including central and western parts of the state, are likely to see 1–3 inches, with snow arriving later Tuesday and continuing into the evening.
• Northeastern Pennsylvania: Snow is expected mainly across higher terrain and northern counties, where 1–2 inches may accumulate before the system exits.

Coastal locations, including major shoreline cities, are expected to see less impact, with lighter totals or brief mixing limiting accumulation.

Why This Clipper Is Being Watched Closely

While Alberta Clippers are typically fast and moisture-starved, this system may move slightly slower than average, allowing snowfall to persist long enough for roads and untreated surfaces to become slick, especially during morning and evening travel periods.

Temperatures are expected to remain cold enough for snow to stick quickly, particularly in shaded and elevated areas.

White Christmas Chances Increase Inland

Any snow that accumulates Tuesday is expected to linger into Christmas Eve and Christmas Day across colder interior locations. This improves the odds of a White Christmas for parts of upstate New York, interior Massachusetts, and northeastern Pennsylvania, where melting will be limited.

Confidence is lower along the coast, where milder air and mixed precipitation reduce the likelihood of lasting snow cover.

What Happens Next

Forecasters will continue refining snowfall totals as higher-resolution data becomes available. Even small track shifts could change which inland areas see the highest totals.

Residents in the most impacted interior zones should stay alert for updated forecasts and travel advisories, especially with holiday travel approaching.

For continued weather coverage and Northeast winter updates, follow along with ChicagoMusicGuide.com as the holiday forecast becomes clearer.