Frigid Days Continue

General Overview: COLD FRONT MOVING ACROSS THE EASTERN HALF OF THE COUNTRY WILL BRING RAIN AND MIXED PRECIPITATION TO THE SOUTHEAST AND MID-ATLANTIC REGIONS THROUGH MIDWEEK. POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN IN PORTIONS OF THE DAKOTAS AND NORTHERN PLAINS. TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN WELL BELOW NORMAL ACROSS THE EASTERN HALF OF THE COUNTRY WHILE THE WESTERN STATES EXPERIENCE ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES.

EAST:  A cold front will push through the eastern United States over the next several days, bringing precipitation to much of the region. By Tuesday, a developing low pressure system will track from the Gulf Coast northeastward along the front, bringing rain to much of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Some mixed precipitation is possible along the northern edge of this system, particularly in the Carolinas. As the low continues to strengthen and move up the East Coast by Wednesday, precipitation will spread northward with rain along the immediate coast and potential for mixed precipitation inland. 

The system will exit the region by late week, with high pressure building in behind it. The cold front will usher in below normal temperatures across the entire eastern region, with the coldest anomalies focused on the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significantly below normal temperatures across the entire region, with anomalies of 6-12 degrees below normal, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The Southeast will experience more moderate cold with temperatures 3-6 degrees below normal.

-Days 4-6: Cold anomalies will begin to moderate slightly but remain below normal across most of the region. The Southeast will see temperatures returning closer to normal by day 6.

-Days 7-10: Temperatures will gradually moderate across the region, with most areas returning to near normal or slightly below normal by day 10. Florida will be the first to return to normal temperatures.

CENTRAL:  The central United States will experience a shifting weather pattern over the next several days. A cold front extending from the Upper Midwest southwestward will bring precipitation to portions of the region early in the period. Areas of snow and mixed precipitation are likely across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. By Monday, a low pressure system will develop over the Central Plains, bringing precipitation to portions of the region.

As the week progresses, high pressure will build across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, leading to drier conditions. By Tuesday into Wednesday, a new frontal system will develop across the Southern Plains, with rain spreading eastward. This system will bring precipitation to much of the South Central region before moving eastward.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significantly below normal temperatures across the eastern portions of the Central region, with anomalies of 6-12 degrees below normal in the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes. Near normal to slightly above normal temperatures in the western portions of the region.

-Days 4-6: Temperature anomalies will begin to moderate across the eastern portions while warming continues in the western areas. By day 6, much of the Northern Plains will experience temperatures 6-12 degrees above normal.

-Days 7-10: A pronounced temperature contrast will develop with well above normal temperatures (6-12 degrees) across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, while areas further south and east remain closer to normal.

WEST:  High pressure will dominate much of the western United States through the period, leading to generally dry conditions across most of the region. Some precipitation is expected along the Pacific Northwest coast, primarily in the form of rain at lower elevations and snow in the higher terrain. The Southwest will remain largely dry.

By midweek, the ridge of high pressure will strengthen across the region, leading to warming temperatures, particularly across the interior West and Northern Rockies. This pattern will persist through the end of the forecast period, with above normal temperatures becoming more widespread across the entire western third of the country.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Above normal temperatures across most of the West, with the warmest anomalies (6-12 degrees above normal) focused on the Northern Rockies and parts of the Pacific Northwest interior.

-Days 4-6: Warming trend continues with widespread above normal temperatures. The warmest anomalies will expand across the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains, with temperatures 6-12 degrees above normal.

-Days 7-10: Persistent above normal temperatures across the entire western region, with the most significant warm anomalies (8-12 degrees above normal) focused on the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains.

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