Two-Part System Moving Through Later This Week

In the Midwest, some showers moved across northern areas with a system this weekend, but most areas stayed dry. Another little system will bring a mix of rain and freezing rain Monday night and Tuesday, but it will be a much drier week until the first portion of a two-part system moves through on Thursday and Friday. Widespread rainfall is forecast with this first piece. The second piece that moves through Friday night and Saturday will bring more widespread precipitation, but have enough cold air for a significant band of snow. Cold air that follows will turn on lake-effect snow for Sunday.

In the Northern Plains, some spotty showers moved through this weekend, but most areas stayed dry. Spotty showers will be possible much of the week, but the region has been much drier lately and warmth has melted much of the snowpack. It is starting to get a little too dry in parts of the region.

In the Central and Southern Plains, a few spotty showers moved through on Friday, but most areas stayed dry over the weekend. Dry conditions continue for early this week, but a pair of systems will move through for Thursday and Friday which should bring through scattered showers and possibly a band of snow across the north. Drier conditions lately have sent drought increasing across the region, but the late-week precipitation should be beneficial.

In the Delta, scattered showers moved through on Friday, but most areas stayed dry over the weekend. Dry conditions continue for much of the week. A pair of storms will move off to the north, but should bring through some scattered showers and a few thunderstorms. Drier conditions lately have increased drought in the region and this rain would be beneficial to not only decrease drought, but also boost water levels on the Mississippi River.

In the Southeast, a band of heavier rain moved through this weekend, but was rather thin. Many areas were missed and drought continues to be an increasing issue this winter. A pair of systems will move off well to the northeast later this week and weekend, but may bring through some needed precipitation to some areas, particularly in the Tennessee Valley. Other areas may not pick up much precipitation and the trend toward increasing drought may continue.

In the Western U.S., systems have been frequently moving through the region, helping to reduce drought, but above-normal temperatures have made it difficult to increase snowpack outside of the highest ranges. Several systems will continue to bring widespread precipitation throughout the week, but will trend drier this weekend into next week.

John Baranick can be reached at john.baranick@dtn.com