Brief Arctic Chill

General Overview: SIGNIFICANT WINTER WEATHER EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTHERN TIER WITH HEAVY SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN POSSIBLE FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST TO THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND UPPER MIDWEST. MEANWHILE, ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES WILL DOMINATE THE SOUTHWEST AND SOUTHERN PLAINS, WITH WARMTH EXPANDING EASTWARD THROUGH THE PERIOD.

EAST:
A cold front will push through the Northeast on Friday, bringing rain to coastal areas and mixed precipitation to interior sections. High pressure will build in behind the front for the weekend, leading to dry conditions across much of the region. By early next week, a new system approaches from the west, potentially bringing light precipitation to parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic. The most significant weather concern will be along the northern tier, where mixed precipitation and possible freezing rain could affect portions of New England and the interior Northeast on Friday.

Temperature Anomalies:
-Days 1-3: Above normal temperatures across most of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with readings 6-12°F above normal in northern New England. Near normal temperatures for the Southeast.

-Days 4-6: Cooling trend with temperatures returning to near normal for most areas. Slight below normal readings possible in parts of the Northeast.

-Days 7-10: Warming trend returns with above normal temperatures spreading eastward from the central U.S., particularly across the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic, reaching 4-8°F above normal by day 10.

CENTRAL:
A complex weather pattern will affect the Central U.S. over the next several days. A frontal boundary extending from the Northern Plains to the Missouri Valley will be the focus for winter precipitation. Heavy snow is possible across portions of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with freezing rain also a significant concern in parts of North Dakota. As the system evolves, high pressure will build across the Central Plains by the weekend, bringing drier conditions. The temperature contrast will be notable, with much colder air across the northern tier and significantly warmer conditions across the Southern Plains.

Temperature Anomalies:
-Days 1-3: Below normal temperatures across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest (4-8°F below normal), with above normal temperatures (6-10°F above normal) across the Southern Plains.

-Days 4-6: Warming trend begins with above normal temperatures expanding northward. Significant warmth developing across the Southern Plains and South Central regions with anomalies of 8-12°F above normal.

-Days 7-10: Widespread above normal temperatures dominate the entire Central region, with the most significant warmth (10-14°F above normal) centered over Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri, gradually spreading northward.

WEST:
An active weather pattern will continue across the Western U.S. with multiple systems affecting the region. The Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies will see the most significant precipitation, with heavy snow possible in the higher elevations and a mix of rain and snow at lower elevations. Critical fire weather conditions are possible in parts of California. By the weekend, precipitation will focus mainly on the Pacific Northwest while the Southwest remains dry. Low pressure systems moving through the region will bring periods of snow to the mountains and rain to coastal areas.

Temperature Anomalies:
-Days 1-3: Above normal temperatures across most of the West, particularly the Southwest where anomalies will reach 6-10°F above normal. Near normal temperatures along the immediate Pacific coast.

-Days 4-6: Continued warmth with above normal temperatures expanding across the entire Western region. The Southwest will see the most significant warmth with anomalies of 8-12°F above normal in the Four Corners region.

-Days 7-10: Persistent above normal temperatures throughout the West, with the warmest anomalies (8-12°F above normal) centered over the Rocky Mountain states and Great Basin.

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