Warm Day Ahead of Front

General Overview: SIGNIFICANT COLD ANOMALIES WILL DOMINATE THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN U.S. OVER THE NEXT 7-10 DAYS, WITH BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES EXTENDING FROM THE ROCKIES TO THE ATLANTIC COAST. A WINTER STORM SYSTEM WILL BRING FREEZING RAIN, MIXED PRECIPITATION, AND POTENTIAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO THE SOUTHEAST EARLY IN THE PERIOD, WHILE MULTIPLE HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEMS WILL MAINTAIN GENERALLY DRY CONDITIONS ACROSS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY THROUGH MIDWEEK.

EAST:  The Eastern U.S. faces significant weather impacts early in the forecast period. A low pressure system will bring precipitation of all types, with freezing rain being a particular concern across portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast through Sunday. The Northeast will see predominantly moderate to heavy snow and sleet. Precipitation will ease for most areas Monday, with light snow lingering across the Northeast. Tuesday and into the late week, high pressure builds in from the Southeast, bringing drier conditions but maintaining the cold air mass. Light snow may linger in parts of New England and the Great Lakes region.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significantly below normal temperatures across most of the region, with anomalies of 6-12°F below normal, particularly in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic. The Southeast, especially Florida, will experience near to slightly above normal temperatures.

-Days 4-6: Cold anomalies persist but begin moderating slightly, with temperatures still running 3-6°F below normal across much of the region. The coldest anomalies shift slightly southward into the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

-Days 7-10: Below normal temperatures continue across the entire Eastern seaboard, with anomalies of 3-8°F below normal. The core of the cold gradually shifts eastward while beginning to moderate by day 10.

CENTRAL:  Snow, ice, and rain will continue to promote impacts across the Mid to Lower Mississippi Valley today, with precipitation easing overnight. High pressure will dominate the Central U.S. through much of the upcoming work week, bringing generally dry conditions but maintaining a cold air mass. Early in the week, a high pressure system centered over Texas will provide fair weather for the Southern Plains, while another high builds into the Northern Plains by midweek. A cold front pushing through the region Monday will reinforce the cold air mass. Light snow is possible across portions of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, but significant accumulations are not expected. By late week, moisture may begin returning to the Southern Plains as the pattern slowly evolves.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significant cold anomalies of 8-12°F below normal across the Central Plains and Midwest, with the core of the coldest air centered over Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri.

-Days 4-6: Cold anomalies persist but begin to moderate slightly, with temperatures still running 6-10°F below normal across much of the region. The Northern Plains see some moderation by day 6.

-Days 7-10: Below normal temperatures continue across the Central states, though gradually moderating. By day 10, temperatures approach near normal in the Northern Plains while remaining 3-6°F below normal in the Southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley.

WEST:  Today, light snow will linger across parts of the Rockies and Four Corners, easing late in the day. Into the early work week, dry weather will be seen for most areas, with rain and mountain snow returning to the Pacific Northwest coast. Mid to late this week, a high pressure system builds over Idaho and Wyoming, prolonging dry weather across much of the West. Low-pressure off of the coast will continue to bring rain and higher-elevation snow to the Pacific Northwest.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Near normal temperatures for most of the region, with slight below normal readings in the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest. The Southwest will experience near to slightly above normal temperatures.

-Days 4-6: Warming trend begins across the Western states, with above normal temperatures developing in the Great Basin and Southwest. Anomalies of 3-6°F above normal spread across Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of California.

-Days 7-10: Above normal temperatures become more pronounced across the Western third of the country, with anomalies of 4-8°F above normal in the Interior West and Pacific Northwest. The warmest anomalies will be centered over Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming by the end of the period.

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