…Powerful Pacific storm to bring much colder temperatures and widespread
mountain snow to much of the Intermountain West through the end of the
week…
…Above normal temperatures continue to build across the central and
northern High Plains Thursday into Friday, resulting in more fire weather
concerns…
…Frost and freeze conditions expand eastward into parts of the Ohio
Valley, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast tonight with below normal
temperatures lingering into Friday…
After a persistent ridge of high pressure fostered unseasonable fall
warmth across much of the West over the last several weeks, a powerful
Pacific storm is now bringing big changes to the region behind a strong
cold front. The significant pattern change is highlighted by much colder
temperatures with highs 15 to 30 degrees below seasonal normals on
Thursday and Friday. In addition to the colder temperatures, the storm
will also produce widespread mountain snow which will grip the region
through the end of the week. Mountain snow is expected to ramp up later
Thursday into Friday with the highest peaks across the northern and
central Rockies favored for significant accumulations. Combined with the
potential for gusty winds, travel through the high country could become
hazardous. Before venturing out, be sure to check the latest forecast
information and make sure you are prepared for winter driving conditions.
Farther east across the central and northern High Plains, gusty return
flow on the backside of a departing bubble of high pressure will usher in
a surge of unseasonable warmth through the end of the week. High
temperatures will soar well into the 70s and 80s, which translates to 15
to 25 degrees above average for this time of year. The unseasonable warmth
in conjunction with strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels
will continue to create a favorable environment for heightened fire
weather concerns. On Thursday, the Storm Prediction Center issued a
critical fire weather area for much of eastern Nebraska and parts of
southwest Minnesota, southeast South Dakota, eastern Iowa, and northern
Kansas… with the potential for the fire weather risk to linger into
Friday. Widespread Red Flag Warnings are in effect to highlight this
elevated fire weather threat across the region.
The strong high pressure that is now departing the Central U.S. will
slowly settle into the Eastern U.S. over the next couple of days, allowing
for well below normal temperatures to persist through the end of the work
week. Unseasonably cold nighttime lows tonight in the 30s and 40s will
promote frost and freeze conditions across parts of the Ohio Valley,
Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Widespread Freeze Warnings and
Frost Advisories are in effect. Those with agricultural interests or
sensitive vegetation should be prepared to take action. Temperatures begin
to moderate some during the day on Thursday and especially on Friday, but
will still remain below normal for the middle of October.
Miller
Graphics available at
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php
