The Nation’s Weather

…Widespread record cold temperatures continue through Friday from the
Central Plains to the Gulf Coast before a slow warming trend sets in by
the weekend…

…An atmospheric river will bring rain to the Pacific Northwest starting
this weekend into the early work week…

…Showers and thunderstorms forecast along the western Gulf Coast
Saturday…

High temperatures will remain well below average Friday from the Central
Plains to the Gulf Coast after another morning of widespread record low
temperatures as a persistent Arctic airmass remains in place. Forecast
highs generally range from the teens and 20s in the Central Plains/Middle
Mississippi Valley, the 30s and 40s from Texas east through the
Southeast/Gulf Coast, and the 50s and 60s into Florida. While not quite as
below average, chilly temperature also continue across the Midwest and
Northeast with highs in the 20s and 30s and into the Mid-Atlantic with
highs in the 30s and 40s. Dangerously cold sub-zero wind chills are
expected through early Friday morning throughout the central Plains and as
far south as the Texas Panhandle. The airmass will finally begin to modify
a bit on Saturday with temperatures running about 10 degrees warmer for
most locations. Areas of south Texas will remain the most below average
with highs in the 40s. Despite the warming trend, morning lows will still
fall near or below freezing, which will remain a risk to more sensitive
areas in the South not as accustomed to freezing temperatures. Downsloping
winds along and east of the Rockies will bring the most significant warm
up as temperatures rise into the 40s and 50s, above average for this time
of year.

An upper-level wave/accompanying Pacific frontal system will bring lower
elevation coastal/valley rain and some very high elevation snow to the
Pacific Northwest Friday ahead of a more substantial second Pacific
system/Atmospheric River reaching the region on Saturday. Moderate to
locally heavy rainfall will be possible along upslope portions of the
Coastal Ranges and Cascades, particularly on Saturday. Additional heavy
rainfall is expected to continue into Sunday just beyond the current
forecast period. Warm Pacific air with the Atmospheric River will keep
snow levels very high limiting any accumulations to some of the higher
mountain peaks of the northern Cascades. Moisture will spread further
inland bringing lower elevation rain and high elevation snow to the
northern Great Basin/Rockies as well, with increasing amounts through
Saturday. Snow levels will also be very high here with limited
accumulations. In fact, Flood Watches are in place for portions of the
northern Rockies where the combination of runoff from rain and snowmelt
given the warm temperatures could lead to river flooding. Warming
temperatures will be a theme across the rest of the West, with highs above
average for most locations by Saturday. Highs in the 40s and 50s will be
common to the north and through the interior with 60s and 70s for
California and the Desert Southwest.

Conditions will be mostly dry the next couple of days for the rest of the
country. Some light lake-effect snows will continue for the Great Lakes
and light freezing rain will be possible for areas of central and south
Texas late Friday into Saturday morning. An area of low pressure will
bring increasing shower and thunderstorm chances to the western Gulf Coast
on Saturday.

Putnam

Graphics available at
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php

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