AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 13, 2026
First Widespread Freeze of the Season Reaches Millions
This weekend, the United States is experiencing its first widespread freeze event of the season, as cold temperatures and wintry weather affect regions from the Midwest to the East and South. Frost and freeze alerts have been issued for areas extending from eastern Oklahoma to the coastal Carolinas, reaching as far south as southern Alabama.
Significant Snowfall Blankets New York State
As of Friday morning, various parts of New York State reported significant snowfall: Hartwick measured 12.5 inches, Burlington 12 inches, Exeter Center 11.5 inches, and Cherry Valley 10 inches. The Catskills region also saw notable snowfall, with multiple locations reporting between 3 and 7 inches. This morning’s wet snow was forecasted to taper off gradually during the day, while areas along the I-95 corridor from Philadelphia to New York anticipated rounds of rain.
Minor Coastal Flooding in New Jersey
In addition to the snowfall, minor coastal flooding was possible in New Jersey, particularly along the Jersey Shore and up toward Cape May, due to continued wet weather and storm activity.
Cold Temperatures Across Major Cities
The impending storm is set to bring below-freezing temperatures over the weekend. Chicago is expected to see wind chills of 24 and 27 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. New York will experience wind chills of 34 and 40 degrees, Atlanta 31 and 32 degrees, and Tallahassee, Florida, 35 and 32 degrees, respectively.
Frost and freeze alerts have been announced for cities such as Tulsa, Oklahoma; Little Rock, Arkansas; Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; and Raleigh, North Carolina, as cold air pushes southward and eastward.
Storms Continue on the West Coast
Meanwhile, the West Coast is facing a parade of Pacific storms. On Friday, a storm system moved in off the Pacific, bringing heavy rain from northern Washington to southern California and heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Rainfall amounts could reach up to 3 inches from northern California to southwestern Oregon by Saturday.
Snowfall in Mountain Regions
For the Sierra Nevada mountains, elevations above 6,000 feet may see between 12 and 18 inches of snow. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in southern California, including the Los Angeles metro area, as the unsettled pattern continues through the weekend. The next storm system is expected in the Pacific Northwest from Saturday night through Sunday.
Heavy Rain Forecast for Southeast Texas
On Sunday, southeast Texas into western Louisiana faces the possibility of heavy rainfall capable of producing urban flooding. Rainfall totals are expected to be between 1 and 2 inches generally, but some localized areas along the southeast Texas coast could accumulate 3 to 5 inches. Cities such as Houston, Galveston, Beaumont, and Lake Charles could be affected.
Severe Weather Threat in Southeastern Texas
A few strong storms with the potential for damaging winds may develop in southeastern Texas on Sunday, spanning from Beaumont to Brownsville.
Ongoing Lake-Effect Snow in the Northeast
As the storm heads out to sea by Saturday, cold northerly winds behind it are forecast to generate lake-effect snow, rain showers, and light snow across the Adirondacks, Berkshires, and the Green and White Mountains in the Northeast.
Source: nbcnews.com.
