Cold front + precipitation (could) = snow

Predicting snow this time of year can be hazardous to a forecaster's career, but a few are cautiously acknowledging next week could be the week.

A cold front is expected to drop over the East Coast between Monday, Nov. 11, and Wednesday, Nov. 13, bringing temperatures up to 20 degrees lower than average, according to the Weather Underground website. Average temperatures for the Cape Region in November are in the 50-degree range.

Freezing temperatures coupled with a recent Global Forecast System's prediction of heavy precipitation at the same time, could make for snowy conditions, says the Capital Weather Gang.

“A big question in this setup is whether enough cold air will drain southward by the time precipitation is beginning,” writes Jason Samenow on the Capital Weather Gang website. “In early-to-mid November, everything has to come together just right to get snow … hence it's rare but not unheard of.”

Samenow notes another weather forecasting model – the European model – predicts chilly rain that could mix with a bit of snow.

Weather Underground forecasters agree snow may be a long-shot – but they are talking about it nonetheless.

“Right now we cannot confidently say whether we will see a threat of snowfall somewhere in the East, but we do know it will turn colder. There is as much a chance that we will not see a significant snowfall event in the East as there is that we will,” the Weather Underground website states.

The National Weather Service predicts a cold front will move over the East Coast on Thursday, Nov. 14, although it makes no mention of the s-word. Even with no snow, temperatures may dip low enough to harm outside plants; time to bring them inside.