Burlington, VT – The air over Lake Champlain feels tense this morning — gray clouds thickening, the wind sharpening off the water. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. today through 1 p.m. Thursday, marking the region’s first major November weather alert. Winds could gust near 50 mph across western Vermont and northern New York as a cold front rolls through, ushering in rain, dropping temperatures, and even the season’s first snow across higher elevations.
According to the National Weather Service in Burlington, gusty southwest winds will strengthen late today and peak after midnight, especially along I-89, Route 7, and the Adirondack passes. Travelers should prepare for difficult driving, particularly in exposed areas and mountain corridors. Scattered power outages are possible as tree limbs strain under the gusts.
Rain will fall steadily into early Thursday, with temperatures tumbling toward the 30s by dawn. The Green and Adirondack Mountains could see 1 to 4 inches of snow above 1,500 feet — a likely first accumulation for Vermont’s higher terrain. Lower valleys, including Burlington, will remain mostly wet but turn sharply colder by Thursday afternoon.
By Friday, calmer air returns, with sunshine breaking through and highs in the upper 40s. Another round of rain, possibly mixed with wet flakes, is likely late Saturday into Sunday. Beyond that, models hint at a strong Arctic push spreading east by Veterans Day, bringing the first widespread freeze and the true start of winter chill.
Five-Day Outlook for Burlington, VT:
Wed: 47/38 – Rain likely; breezy, gusts to 45 mph.
Thu: 42/27 – Rain early; colder; snow in hills.
Fri: 49/42 – Partly sunny, calm.
Sat: 52/38 – Rain likely; breezy.
Sun: 47/33 – Showers; early mix possible
