Below Normal Today

General Overview: SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL IMPACT THE EASTERN HALF OF THE COUNTRY THROUGH THE WEEKEND WITH HEAVY RAIN, SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS, AND FREEZING RAIN THREATS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST AND GULF COAST FRIDAY, TRANSITIONING TO HEAVY SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN ACROSS THE NORTHEAST BY SATURDAY. MULTIPLE HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEMS WILL DOMINATE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGIONS WITH GENERALLY QUIET WEATHER EXPECTED.

EAST:  A potent low pressure system will track across the Southeast and up the Eastern Seaboard through the weekend, bringing multiple hazards. On Friday, heavy rain and thunderstorms will spread across the Gulf Coast states, with severe thunderstorms possible across portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Flash flooding concerns will be highest in these areas. As the system moves northeastward on Saturday, precipitation will transition to a wintry mix across the Mid-Atlantic, with freezing rain becoming a significant concern from Virginia northward through Pennsylvania and into New York. The Northeast will see heavy snow developing across interior sections, particularly across northern New York and New England. By Sunday, the system will move offshore, but lingering precipitation will continue across parts of New England. Another low pressure system may affect the Northeast by Tuesday, bringing additional snow and mixed precipitation to the region.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significantly above normal temperatures (6-12°F above average) across most of the Eastern Seaboard, particularly from the Mid-Atlantic through New England. Warmest anomalies will be centered over the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic on Friday before gradually cooling by Sunday.

-Days 4-6: Near normal temperatures return to much of the region by Monday, with slightly below normal temperatures developing across parts of the Southeast. The Northeast will remain slightly above normal.

-Days 7-10: Generally near normal temperatures prevail across most of the East, with some slightly below normal readings possible across portions of the Southeast and Florida.

CENTRAL:  High pressure will dominate the Central Plains through the weekend, bringing generally quiet weather conditions. Some light snow and mixed precipitation will affect portions of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes on Friday and Saturday as the eastern storm system’s influence extends westward. Missouri and parts of the lower Ohio Valley may see rain transitioning to snow on the western edge of the main storm system. By early next week, a new weather system will begin to affect the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, bringing snow and mixed precipitation to those areas by Tuesday.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significantly above normal temperatures (8-12°F above average) across much of the Central Plains and Midwest, particularly from Missouri northward through Iowa and into Minnesota and Wisconsin.

-Days 4-6: Above normal temperatures continue across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with anomalies of 6-10°F above normal. Near normal temperatures return to the Southern Plains.

-Days 7-10: Moderating temperatures with most areas returning to near normal, though the Northern Plains will maintain slightly above normal readings.

WEST:  Multiple high pressure systems will dominate the Western states through the forecast period, bringing generally quiet weather. Some light precipitation will affect the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies on Friday and Saturday. The Southwest will remain dry throughout the period. By early next week, a new system may bring increased precipitation chances to the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Near to slightly below normal temperatures across portions of California and the Southwest, with slightly above normal temperatures across the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest.

-Days 4-6: Warming trend develops with above normal temperatures spreading across most of the West, particularly across the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains where anomalies may reach 6-10°F above normal.

-Days 7-10: Continued above normal temperatures across much of the West, though anomalies decrease in magnitude with most areas 2-6°F above normal.

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