Seasonable Along the Coast; Above Average Elsewhere

General Overview: SIGNIFICANT WINTER WEATHER IMPACTS EXPECTED ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES AND NORTHEAST WITH FREEZING RAIN AND HEAVY SNOW POSSIBLE THROUGH THE WEEKEND. MIXED PRECIPITATION SPREADING ACROSS THE NORTHWEST AND NORTHERN ROCKIES. MUCH ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES WILL DOMINATE THE CENTRAL PLAINS AND SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONS THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK.

EAST:
A potent low pressure system will bring significant winter weather impacts to the Great Lakes and Northeast through the weekend. Freezing rain is possible across portions of Michigan, Ohio, and western Pennsylvania, creating hazardous travel conditions. Heavy snow is also expected across parts of the Great Lakes region. By Saturday, the system will shift eastward, maintaining the threat of freezing rain across Michigan while precipitation transitions to rain across parts of the Ohio Valley. 

As we move into Sunday and early next week, another system develops with rain spreading across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Coastal areas will see primarily rain, while inland portions of the Northeast may experience a mix of precipitation types. High pressure will build in by Tuesday, bringing drier conditions to much of the region.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Below normal temperatures across the Northeast and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, with readings 3-6°F below average. The Southeast will experience near to slightly above normal temperatures.

-Days 4-6: A transition to cooler temperatures spreading southward, with below normal readings expanding across most of the Eastern Seaboard by day 6, particularly across the Southeast where temperatures will fall to 3-6°F below normal.

-Days 7-10: Generally below normal temperatures persisting across the East, with anomalies of 2-4°F below average. Some moderation toward normal by day 10.

CENTRAL:
The Central United States will experience significant temperature contrasts through the period. A low pressure system tracking through the Midwest will bring rain and thunderstorms to portions of the Central Plains and Midwest on Saturday, with precipitation spreading into the Great Lakes region. By Sunday, a cold front will push through the region, bringing rain to parts of the Mississippi Valley.

The most notable feature will be the persistent warmth across the Central Plains and South Central regions, with well above normal temperatures dominating through early next week. High pressure over the Gulf Coast will maintain dry conditions across much of the southern tier.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Remarkably warm conditions across the Central Plains and South Central regions with temperatures 10-15°F above normal. The warmest anomalies will be centered over Oklahoma, Kansas, and surrounding states.

-Days 4-6: Continued above normal temperatures across the South Central region, though moderating somewhat. By day 6, cooler air begins to infiltrate from the north, bringing near to slightly below normal temperatures to the Upper Midwest and parts of the Central Plains.

-Days 7-10: A return to near normal temperatures for most of the Central region, with lingering above normal temperatures across Texas and the southern Plains, generally 2-6°F above average.

WEST:
Mixed precipitation will affect the Northwest and Northern Rockies through the weekend. A low pressure system near the Pacific Northwest coast will bring rain and mountain snow to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana. The Southwest will remain largely dry under high pressure.

By Saturday, another system approaches the Northwest, maintaining precipitation chances across the region. Mixed precipitation will continue across the Northern Rockies and parts of the Intermountain West. As we move into early next week, high pressure builds across much of the Western states, bringing drier conditions, though some precipitation may linger in the Northwest.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Above normal temperatures across much of the West, particularly the Southwest and Rockies where temperatures will be 3-8°F above average. The Pacific Northwest will see near normal temperatures.

-Days 4-6: Cooling trend begins across the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest with temperatures falling to below normal. The Southwest maintains above normal temperatures, particularly across the Four Corners region.

-Days 7-10: Temperature pattern stabilizes with slightly above normal temperatures across the Southwest and Intermountain West (2-6°F above normal) and near to slightly below normal temperatures in the Pacific Northwest.

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