Above Normal

General Overview: SIGNIFICANT WINTER WEATHER THREATS DEVELOPING ACROSS THE NORTHERN TIER WITH HEAVY SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN POSSIBLE FROM THE NORTHERN PLAINS TO THE GREAT LAKES THROUGH MIDWEEK. RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED ALONG THE GULF COAST AND LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. WESTERN STATES WILL SEE CONTINUED PRECIPITATION WHILE THE EASTERN SEABOARD REMAINS RELATIVELY QUIET UNDER HIGH PRESSURE.

EAST:
High pressure will dominate the Eastern Seaboard initially, providing generally quiet weather conditions through midweek. By Thursday, a developing low pressure system over the Great Lakes will bring increasing precipitation chances to portions of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Mixed precipitation will be possible across the interior Northeast, with rain more likely along the immediate coast. The Southeast will remain mostly dry, though Gulf Coast areas could see some rain and thunderstorm activity pushing inland from the Gulf of Mexico. By the weekend, a cold front will sweep through, bringing a chance of rain followed by cooler conditions.

Temperature Anomalies:
-Days 1-3: Below normal temperatures across much of the region, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, with anomalies of 4-8 degrees below average. The Northeast will see gradual moderation toward normal by day 3.

-Days 4-6: Temperatures trending closer to normal for most areas, with slightly above normal readings developing in the Northeast. The Southeast remains near to slightly below normal.

-Days 7-10: Warming trend continues with above normal temperatures spreading across most of the region, particularly in the interior Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, where anomalies could reach 3-6 degrees above normal.

CENTRAL:
A complex weather pattern will affect the Central U.S. with multiple hazards expected. A developing low pressure system will track across the region midweek, bringing a significant winter storm to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Heavy snow is possible across portions of North Dakota, Minnesota, and northern Wisconsin, with accumulations potentially exceeding 6 inches in some locations. Further south, rain and thunderstorms will develop across the lower Mississippi Valley and parts of the Southern Plains. Of particular concern is the potential for freezing rain across portions of the Northern Plains into the Upper Midwest, which could lead to significant ice accumulations and hazardous travel conditions. By late week, the system will push eastward, with high pressure building in behind it.

Temperature Anomalies:
-Days 1-3: Sharply divided temperature pattern with below normal temperatures across the eastern portions of the region and above normal temperatures in the western portions. The temperature gradient will be particularly strong across the Plains.

-Days 4-6: Warming trend for most areas, with above normal temperatures expanding eastward. The Northern Plains may see some cooler air filtering in from Canada by day 6.

-Days 7-10: Significantly above normal temperatures dominate most of the region, particularly across the Southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley where anomalies could reach 8-12 degrees above normal. The northern tier will see more moderate warmth.

WEST:
Multiple weather systems will affect the Western states through the period. Initially, high pressure will be in place across much of the Southwest, while low pressure systems bring precipitation to the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. Mixed precipitation, including snow at higher elevations, will affect the Cascades and Northern Rockies. By midweek, a new system will push into the Pacific Northwest, bringing another round of precipitation. The Southwest will remain relatively dry initially, but moisture may increase across portions of the region by late week. Mountain snow will continue across the higher terrain of the West, with rain in the lower elevations.

Temperature Anomalies:
-Days 1-3: Significantly above normal temperatures across most of the region, particularly in the interior West and Rockies where anomalies will range from 6-12 degrees above normal.

-Days 4-6: Continued above normal temperatures for most areas, though some cooling may occur in the Pacific Northwest as systems move through. The Southwest and Rockies remain well above normal.

-Days 7-10: Persistent above normal temperatures continue across most of the West, with the warmest anomalies (8-12 degrees above normal) centered over the Four Corners region and Central Rockies.

TROPICAL:
No tropical cyclone activity is expected during the next 7 days in either the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basins.