Above Normal Temperatures Continue

General Overview: SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM SYSTEM TO IMPACT GREAT LAKES AND NORTHEAST WITH HEAVY SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN POTENTIAL THROUGH SUNDAY. RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED ACROSS THE GULF COAST AND SOUTHEAST. GENERALLY QUIET CONDITIONS PREVAIL ACROSS THE WESTERN STATES WITH HIGH PRESSURE DOMINATING.

EAST:  A potent winter storm system will track through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast over the weekend. For Saturday, a mix of rain and snow will develop across portions of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic. By Sunday, this system intensifies as it moves into the Northeast, bringing heavy snow potential to much of New York and Pennsylvania. Freezing rain is possible across portions of the Northeast, particularly in eastern New York and parts of New England, creating hazardous travel conditions. Rain and thunderstorms will develop across the Southeast and along the coastal regions. High pressure builds in by Monday, bringing clearing conditions to much of the region, though offshore precipitation may continue along the Atlantic coast.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Below normal temperatures across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic with readings 3-6°F below average. Near normal to slightly above normal temperatures for the Southeast.

-Days 4-6: Transitioning to below normal temperatures across most of the East, with readings 3-8°F below average, particularly across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

-Days 7-10: Continued below normal temperatures across the region, gradually moderating by day 10 with only slight negative anomalies remaining.

CENTRAL:  A complex weather pattern will affect the Central region through the weekend. Multiple low pressure systems will track through the area, bringing a variety of precipitation types. For Saturday, mixed precipitation and snow will spread across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with rain and thunderstorms developing across Missouri and parts of the Central Plains. By Sunday, the system intensifies with a more organized band of precipitation extending from the Gulf Coast northward through the Mississippi Valley. Rain and thunderstorms will affect the Gulf Coast states while mixed precipitation and snow continue across the Upper Midwest. High pressure builds into the region by early next week, bringing generally quieter conditions.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significantly above normal temperatures across much of the Central region, with anomalies of 6-12°F above average, particularly across the Central and Southern Plains.

-Days 4-6: Transitioning to near normal or slightly below normal temperatures for most areas, with cooler air filtering in from the north.

-Days 7-10: Generally near normal temperatures prevail, with slightly below normal readings across the northern tier and slightly above normal conditions persisting across the southern portions.

WEST:  High pressure will dominate much of the Western region through the weekend, resulting in generally dry conditions. A few areas of light precipitation are possible across the Pacific Northwest and portions of the Northern Rockies. By early next week, a new system approaches the Northwest, bringing increased chances for precipitation. The Southwest will remain largely dry under the influence of high pressure. Some light snow is possible across higher elevations of the Rockies and Intermountain West.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Above normal temperatures across much of the West, particularly the Intermountain region with anomalies of 3-6°F above average.

-Days 4-6: Continued above normal temperatures for the Southwest and Intermountain West, while cooler air begins to filter into the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest.

-Days 7-10: Near to slightly above normal temperatures persist across the Southwest, with near normal conditions elsewhere.

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