Variable Temperatures Likely

General Overview: ACTIVE WEATHER PATTERN ACROSS THE NATION WITH HURRICANE MELISSA OFFSHORE THE EAST COAST, RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS AFFECTING THE NORTHEAST, MIXED PRECIPITATION IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS, AND SEVERAL SYSTEMS BRINGING PRECIPITATION TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. TEMPERATURE CONTRASTS WILL BE SIGNIFICANT WITH BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE SOUTH CENTRAL STATES AND ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES BUILDING IN THE WEST.

EAST: A complex weather pattern will affect the eastern United States over the next several days. An area of low pressure with an associated cold front and occluded front will bring rain and thunderstorms to much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions today. Rain will be widespread from the coastal Northeast through the Great Lakes. By Friday, precipitation will shift northward into New England and parts of the Northeast, with high pressure building into the Southeast. The weekend will see improving conditions as the low pressure system moves offshore, with high pressure dominating by Sunday into early next week. Some lingering rain may affect coastal areas of the Southeast and Florida through the weekend.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Near normal to slightly below normal temperatures across much of the region, with cooler conditions (2-6°F below normal) spreading across the Southeast and Gulf Coast states.

-Days 4-6: Temperatures trending closer to normal across most of the East, with slightly below normal temperatures persisting in parts of the Southeast and Florida.

-Days 7-10: Temperatures returning to near normal across the entire eastern region, with no significant anomalies expected.

CENTRAL:  The central United States will experience changing weather conditions over the forecast period. A low pressure system over the Upper Midwest will bring mixed precipitation to portions of North Dakota and Minnesota on Thursday, with rain extending southward through the Central Plains. By Friday, this system will shift eastward, with precipitation diminishing across the region. High pressure will build into the South Central states by the weekend, bringing generally dry conditions. Some rain may develop across portions of Arkansas and eastern Texas by Saturday. The northern Plains may see additional precipitation chances early next week as frontal boundaries move through the region.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Below normal temperatures (4-8°F below average) across much of the South Central states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, with near normal temperatures elsewhere.

-Days 4-6: Moderating temperatures with near normal conditions returning to most areas, though some below normal temperatures may persist in Kansas and parts of the Central Plains.

-Days 7-10: Warming trend with above normal temperatures (3-6°F above average) developing across the Northern and Central Plains, extending southward into Texas by the end of the period.

WEST:  Multiple weather systems will affect the western United States during the forecast period. Low pressure areas over the Southwest and along the Pacific Northwest coast will bring precipitation to these regions through Thursday. Mixed precipitation and rain will affect parts of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, while scattered precipitation is possible in the Southwest. By Friday, a new system will bring additional precipitation to the Pacific Northwest, with mixed precipitation extending inland to Idaho and western Montana. A cold front will move through the region on Saturday, bringing precipitation to the coastal areas. High pressure will build into the Southwest, leading to generally dry conditions there through the weekend and into next week.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Above normal temperatures (3-6°F above average) across California and the Southwest, with near normal temperatures elsewhere.

-Days 4-6: Warming trend continuing with above normal temperatures (4-8°F above average) expanding across the entire Western region, particularly in the interior West.

-Days 7-10: Significantly above normal temperatures (6-10°F above average) across the Rocky Mountain states, Great Basin, and interior Northwest, with more moderate warmth along the Pacific Coast.

TROPICAL: Hurricane Melissa is currently active in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas. The system is expected to remain offshore but may bring increased wave action and rip current risks to the East Coast. No other tropical cyclone activity is expected in either the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basins during the next 7 days according to the National Hurricane Center outlook.