Significant Warm Up on the Way for Central US

Quick-moving clipper systems have been moving across northern and eastern areas of the Midwest earlier this week. Snow accumulations were highest across eastern Minnesota into northern Ohio, where each clipper system managed to drop around one inch of snow. Temperatures also fluctuated between above and below normal as the clippers passed by. However, temperatures by the late weekend and early next week will start rising to 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. The Southern Midwest or Ohio Valley could see high temperatures in the 60s. While light showers may move through during the first half of next week, a larger system could tag the Eastern Midwest by the end of the week.

The eastern Dakotas saw most of the precipitation this week across the Northern Plains as clipper systems swung through from the Canadian Prairies. Through the first half of the week, northeast North Dakota saw snowfall totals near 2-6 inches; otherwise, the rest of the region remained relatively dry. Into the upcoming weekend and early next week, a few spotty snow or rain showers will work through the area, but temperatures are expected to warm up dramatically. From Sunday through next Wednesday, temperatures will likely approach 15 degrees F above average throughout the Northern Plains with high temperatures climbing into the 40s or even low 50s for South Dakota.

Much like the Northern Plains, the Central and Southern Plains are expected to remain relatively warm going into the first half of next week. Widespread high temperatures in the 60s to near 70 degrees F are forecast for next Monday across West Texas and Oklahoma, which could cause more winter wheat to come out of dormancy earlier than normal. Conditions have been relatively dry over the past week but by the second half of next week, systems from the West could drop into the Southern Plains and provide widespread rainfall.

Earlier this week, temperatures took a dive below average across the Mississippi Delta. Additionally, rainfall has been relatively sparse over the past few weeks, leading to concerning levels along the Mississippi. Throughout Friday, light rain showers will work across the region and by Saturday morning, most places will see less than 0.5 inches of rain. With warmer temperatures on the way next week, snowmelt north of the Delta and across the Ohio Valley could lead to a slight increase in water levels. Heavier precipitation may favor the mid-Mississippi Valley later next week, leading to some areas in eastern Missouri and western Illinois seeing over 1-1.5 inches of rain.

Widespread cold temperatures impacted the Southeast ahead of New Year’s Day with low temperatures spanning from the 20s to low 30s for much of Alabama and Georgia New Year’s Eve. Late this week, temperatures started trending warmer and a system will bring widespread rainfall later Friday into Saturday. A few swaths of heavier rain exceeding one inch could develop across central and northern Alabama and Georgia. Throughout next week, temperatures will start rising well above average with highs in the 60s and 70s. A few spotty showers are possible next week, but the bulk of the precipitation may slide to the north. Depending on where a cold front stalls out late next week, more showers may develop throughout the Southeast.

The pattern across the West became active this week and the active pattern will likely continue into next week as well. Heavy rain fell across parts of southern California, dumping nearly 2-3 inches of rain around San Diego and Los Angeles. Throughout the weekend, heavy mountain snow and valley rainfall is expected to impact the West Coast. Higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountains could see over two feet of snow by the end of the weekend. By next week, temperatures will start trending cooler, especially during the second half of the week as an upper-air trough extends throughout much of the West. Snowpack could increase across the Intermountain West next week as well as systems from the West Coast venture east.

Teresa Wells can be reached at teresa.wells@dtn.com