Generally Dry and Quiet

General Overview: SIGNIFICANT WINTER WEATHER SYSTEM AFFECTING THE NORTHERN ROCKIES AND NORTHERN PLAINS WITH HEAVY SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN POSSIBLE THROUGH FRIDAY. MIXED PRECIPITATION EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE OHIO VALLEY AND MID-ATLANTIC. PACIFIC NORTHWEST WILL SEE CONTINUED RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW. TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN WELL ABOVE NORMAL ACROSS THE WESTERN STATES WHILE BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES SPREAD ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN U.S. THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

EAST:
A frontal boundary will bring mixed precipitation to portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley through Thursday. Areas from Kentucky through Virginia and into parts of Maryland could see a wintry mix that may include freezing rain. By Friday, high pressure builds in across the Northeast, pushing the precipitation southward and eastward. The coastal areas may see some rain showers developing along the Atlantic seaboard by the weekend. A new low pressure system appears to develop off the East Coast by Sunday, potentially bringing rain to coastal regions. Overall, precipitation amounts should remain light to moderate with the main hazards being the mixed precipitation and potential for slick travel conditions in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Temperature Anomalies:
-Days 1-3: Near to slightly below normal temperatures across most of the region, with the coldest air remaining just to the west. Temperatures generally 2-6 degrees below normal.
-Days 4-6: Cooling trend continues with below normal temperatures spreading throughout the region, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley where temperatures could be 6-10 degrees below normal.
-Days 7-10: Gradual moderation with temperatures returning to near normal or slightly above by days 9-10, especially in the Northeast.

CENTRAL:
A significant winter weather system will impact the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest through Friday. Heavy snow is possible across portions of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, with freezing rain also a concern in these areas. This system will gradually shift eastward, bringing mixed precipitation to the Great Lakes region. By Friday, a new low pressure system develops in the southern Plains, bringing rain to portions of Texas and Louisiana. High pressure builds in across the central Plains by the weekend, leading to drier conditions, though cold air will remain entrenched across much of the region. The temperature contrast between the cold air mass in the east and warm air to the west will be particularly sharp across the central states.

Temperature Anomalies:
-Days 1-3: Sharply colder than normal across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest with temperatures 6-12 degrees below normal. Near normal temperatures across the southern Plains.
-Days 4-6: Very cold air expands southward and eastward with temperatures 8-12 degrees below normal across much of the Midwest and Great Lakes, moderating somewhat in the western portions.
-Days 7-10: Cold air begins to moderate with temperatures returning closer to normal, though still below average across parts of the Midwest. Western portions of the region begin to see above normal temperatures spreading eastward.

WEST:
Multiple systems will bring rain and mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies through the period. The most significant precipitation will occur in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana. High pressure dominates across the Southwest, leading to dry conditions and above normal temperatures. By the weekend, a new system approaches the Pacific Northwest, bringing another round of precipitation to the region. The temperature contrast will be notable with much above normal temperatures across the Southwest and Intermountain West while cooler conditions persist in areas receiving precipitation.

Temperature Anomalies:
-Days 1-3: Well above normal temperatures across most of the West, particularly in the Intermountain region where temperatures will be 6-12 degrees above normal.
-Days 4-6: Continued warm conditions with temperatures remaining 6-12 degrees above normal across much of the region, especially in the Rocky Mountain states.
-Days 7-10: Persistent warmth with temperatures 6-12 degrees above normal expanding across nearly the entire Western region, with the warmest anomalies centered over the Rocky Mountain states.

TROPICAL:
The National Hurricane Center indicates no tropical cyclone activity is expected during the next 7 days in either the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basins.