Pleasant Day Today

General Overview: ACTIVE WEATHER PATTERN ACROSS THE NATION WITH A COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH THE EASTERN US MIDWEEK, FOLLOWED BY SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION DEVELOPING ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLAINS AND SOUTHEAST FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND. FREEZING RAIN THREAT EMERGES ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE SOUTH CENTRAL STATES INTO THE WEEKEND, WHILE BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES EXPAND FROM THE NORTHERN PLAINS INTO THE EASTERN HALF OF THE COUNTRY.

EAST:  A cold front will push through the eastern United States on Wednesday, bringing rain to portions of the Central/Deep South, with snow expected across the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic. By Thursday, this front moves offshore with an occluded front developing across the Northeast. As we move into the weekend, high pressure builds in across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, bringing drier conditions. However, another system approaches from the west by Saturday, potentially bringing rain, snow, and freezing rain to parts of the Southeast.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Slightly below normal temperatures across much of the region, with anomalies of 2-6°F below average, particularly in the Great Lakes and Northeast.

-Days 4-6: Significantly colder air pushes into the region with temperatures 6-12°F below normal spreading across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic by the weekend.

-Days 7-10: Continued below normal temperatures for most areas, with the coldest anomalies (8-12°F below normal) focused on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Some moderation begins by day 10.

CENTRAL:  A low pressure system over the Great Lakes on Wednesday will bring snow showers across the Midwest, with rain expected further south for the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley. By Thursday, high pressure begins building into the northern Plains while a new low pressure system develops over the Southwest. By Friday, a significant precipitation event develops across the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, with rain spreading along the gulf coast. Areas of freezing rain are possible along the northern edge of this precipitation shield, particularly from eastern New Mexico through northern Texas and into Arkansas, with snow expected for areas to the north.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significantly below normal temperatures across the northern and central Plains, with anomalies of 6-12°F below average.

-Days 4-6: Cold air intensifies and expands southward with temperatures 8-12°F below normal across much of the central Plains and Midwest.

-Days 7-10: Below normal temperatures continue across most of the region, gradually moderating by day 10 in the northern Plains while remaining colder than normal in the southern Plains.

WEST:  Generally quiet weather early in the period with high pressure dominating the Northwest and northern Rockies. The Northern Rockies may see a few quick shots for snow, however. By Friday, a low pressure system develops over the Southwest, bringing rain and higher elevations snow to parts of the Four Corners. Mixed precipitation including freezing rain is possible in some transition zones. The precipitation expands eastward through the weekend while the Pacific Northwest remains mostly dry under high pressure influence. Some rain and mountain snow may develop along the West Coast by early next week.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Near normal to slightly above normal temperatures for most areas, with some areas in California and the Southwest seeing temperatures 2-6°F above average.

-Days 4-6: Warming trend continues across the Southwest and Great Basin with temperatures 4-8°F above normal, while the Pacific Northwest remains closer to seasonal averages.

-Days 7-10: Above normal temperatures persist across much of the West, particularly in the interior Southwest and Rockies where anomalies of 6-10°F above normal are expected.

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