DRYING OUT AFTER THIS WEEK'S NOR'EASTER....

1. Region finally will be rid of stubborn, strong mid-week nor'easter during the weekend.  Skies will begin to brighten more on Friday, but there can be a stray flurry on Friday night. Temps remain chilly in the upper 30s to low 40s on Friday.

2. Outside of a few scattered flurries this weekend, the region should remain dry, with varying amounts of clouds and sun for Saturday. By Sunday and Monday, we'll see mostly sunny skies and temps rebounding into the mid and upper 40s.

Accweather.com: Geminid Meteor Shower

3. Mainly dry through Tuesday afternoon. A weak, fast-moving system will spark a shot at some quick-hitting rain on Tuesday afternoon before exiting the region early Wednesday.  Winds should pick up somewhat on Wednesday with a chilly northwest flow of air; skies may remain on the cloudy side for mid to late week as another fast-moving system draws near by late next week (Thursday night).

Intellicast.com

4. Potential remains high for active, stormy period of weather for the last ten days of the month. Active southern jet stream combined with renewed cold air masses should make for some periods of disruptive weather during the busy holiday season.

STRONG COASTAL STORM WILL INFLUENCE OUR WEATHER FOR MUCH OF THIS WEEK....

Clouds will gather on Monday with a chilly breeze; northerly winds will begin to turn northeasterly . Light rain/drizzle should develop towards sundown, with fairly steady rain commencing around late evening into the overnight Monday night/Tuesday from south to north. Temps start out in the 30s, but then they rise into the 40s at night. Freezing rain/ice threat is high for Orange County in New York.

Accuweather.com 

Meteorologist Joe Cioffi

On Tuesday, the coastal storm will begin to intensify. A wind-swept, heavy rain will be felt for much of the day and early evening before rain tapers off for Tuesday evening at the coast and in the city.  Elsewhere,  rain should linger north and west of I95 and transition to snow before ending. Moderate coastal flooding will be likely Tuesday and Tuesday night at the coast. Winds could gust as high as 50mph for the city and coast, with 40mph gusts possible further inland.

For Wednesday, we'll remain cloudy. A few quick-hitting rain and snow showers should move through during the day for all areas. Winds will subside, but remain gusty.

NOAA-5 day liquid equivalent precip totals are a widespread 2"+

While the steadiest, heaviest rainfall will be north of our region on Wednesday,  the overall configuration of the jet stream will not allow the storm to completely move out of the northeast states. Accordingly, our weather will remain unsettled through Friday, with clouds prevailing for much of the period; scattered rain and snow showers will pose a threat of moving through from time to time, particularly during the day, until the stubborn low pressure is able to weaken and pull further north sometime on Friday.

NOAA: Nor'easter's slow crawl from Wednesday to Friday

Thereafter, our weather will improve even more by the weekend, with temps rebounding into the mid and upper 40s and rainfall chances finally diminishing.

Intellicast.com

In the long term, a cold and stormy regime should continue throughout the rest of the month, with transient spells of above-normal temps. After the 20th, there are strong signs that the overall pattern will begin to "lock in" to winter,  markedly raising the prospects for bouts of sustained cold and disruptive snows during the busy holiday season.