Front Departs today

General Overview: COLD FRONT PUSHING THROUGH EASTERN US WITH RAIN AND MIXED PRECIPITATION, WHILE WESTERN REGIONS EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT ABOVE-NORMAL TEMPERATURES. HIGH PRESSURE DOMINATES CENTRAL US THROUGH WEEKEND WITH GENERALLY QUIET CONDITIONS NATIONWIDE EXCEPT FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST PRECIPITATION.

EAST:  A cold front will push through the eastern United States over the next couple of days, bringing rain to portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Some mixed precipitation is possible in parts of the Appalachians and interior Northeast on Thursday and Friday. By Friday evening, the front will have moved offshore, with high pressure building in behind it. This will lead to generally dry conditions across the region through the weekend. Rain returns to coastal areas by Sunday evening, particularly along the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coastline. 

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Below normal temperatures will dominate the eastern third of the country, with anomalies of 3-6 degrees below normal. The coldest conditions will be focused in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions.

-Days 4-6: Below normal temperatures continue but moderate somewhat, with anomalies of 2-4 degrees below normal for most areas. Florida will see near normal temperatures by day 6.

-Days 7-10: Gradual warming trend with temperatures returning to near normal for most of the region by days 9-10. Some slightly below normal temperatures may linger in the Northeast, while the Southeast transitions to slightly above normal.

CENTRAL:  High pressure will dominate the central United States through much of the forecast period, leading to generally dry conditions. A low pressure system will develop over the Central Plains by Saturday, potentially bringing precipitation to portions of the region. This system will move eastward and weaken by Sunday. Cold fronts will move through the northern portions of the region periodically, but with limited moisture available, significant precipitation is not expected.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significant temperature contrast across the region with near to slightly below normal temperatures in the eastern portions and well above normal temperatures (6-12 degrees) in the western portions, particularly across the Northern Plains.

-Days 4-6: Above normal temperatures expand eastward across the entire central region, with the warmest anomalies (8-12 degrees above normal) remaining focused on the Northern and Central Plains.

-Days 7-10: Continued above normal temperatures throughout the region, though anomalies moderate somewhat to 4-8 degrees above normal. The warmest conditions relative to normal will be centered on the Central Plains and Mid-Mississippi Valley.

WEST:  High pressure systems will dominate much of the Southwest and Intermountain West, while a series of weather systems bring precipitation to the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. Rain and mountain snow will affect these northern areas Thursday through Sunday, with some mixed precipitation possible at middle elevations. Thunderstorm activity is possible in portions of the Southwest, particularly Arizona and New Mexico. By the weekend, precipitation will become more focused on the Pacific Northwest coast.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significantly above normal temperatures across most of the West, with anomalies of 6-12 degrees above normal in the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains. The Pacific Northwest coast will see more moderate warmth.

-Days 4-6: Continued well above normal temperatures, particularly across the Northern Rockies and interior Northwest where anomalies will remain 8-12 degrees above normal. Coastal areas will see more moderate temperature anomalies.

-Days 7-10: Above normal temperatures persist but begin to moderate somewhat, with anomalies of 4-8 degrees above normal for most areas. The warmest conditions relative to normal will shift slightly eastward toward the Northern Plains.

TROPICAL: No tropical cyclone activity is expected during the next 7 days.