BURLINGTON, Vt. – Low clouds roll over Lake Champlain early Monday as Vermont braces for a blustery start to the week. Warm, moist air pushing in from the south will spark rounds of showers and a few rumbles of thunder today before temperatures begin their steady fall toward more typical late-October chill.
According to the National Weather Service in Burlington, widespread rain will move across the Champlain Valley through Monday evening, with gusts over 30 mph possible along the I-89 corridor. Roads will turn slick through the afternoon commute, and ponding could slow travel near Colchester and Essex Junction. Drivers should keep headlights on and allow extra braking distance on wet pavement.
By Tuesday, skies will briefly lighten, though lingering showers may redevelop late in the day. The bigger change arrives midweek: colder air surges in Wednesday, dropping highs into the 50s and lows into the lower 40s by nightfall. A secondary cold front on Thursday brings another round of rain and gusty winds before the chill deepens. Forecasters expect readings in the 30s by Friday morning, especially inland from the lake — an early signal that Vermont’s first fall freeze could be close.
Residents should clear gutters, check outdoor heaters, and prepare to cover sensitive garden plants by late week. Campers and hikers in the Green Mountains can expect brisk mornings and damp trails heading into the weekend.
By Saturday, skies clear and air turns crisp — the kind of cold, still pattern that often precedes Vermont’s first frost.
Five-Day Forecast for Burlington, VT:
Mon: 67/47 – Rain, gusts near 30 mph; thunder possible.
Tue: 62/48 – Decreasing clouds; brief break before more rain.
Wed: 59/43 – Cooler, breezy; showers return late.
Thu: 55/40 – Showers and brisk wind; falling temps late.
Fri: 51/37 – Clearing, chilly; first frost possible inland.
