Colder Weather on the Horizon This Week for Eastern U.S.

Posted: November 28, 2023 9:54 am

An intrusion of cold air filtering down from Canada will put a wintry spin on the eastern third of the country later this week. This blast of cold air will bring about some of the lowest temperature readings of the season thus far for this part of the U.S. How cold will it get and when can you expect to see these temperatures? Read on for all of the details.

Unseasonably Cold Weather on the Way for the East Coast

Over 100 million Americans are going to be putting on another layer of clothes in the coming days as cold air grips the region. This upcoming weather pattern will translate to the first hard freeze of the season for many communities that have dodged the cold thus far.

You can expect temperature readings to drop to about 10 to 20 degrees below the norm for the end of November, translating to weather that is more akin to late December or early January. Many cities along the East Coast have yet to record temperatures below the freezing mark this season, however, that is all about to change.

For instance, the lowest that the temperature has fallen in Washington, D.C. has been 34 degrees. Atlanta has also seen readings bottom out at this level. Both cities are expected to see lower temperatures this week with the nation’s capital forecast to hit the upper 20s early Wednesday and Atlanta predicted to fall below the freezing mark during this same time period.

The rush of cold air will feel even more noticeable in the southern portions of the country. The Interstate 10 corridor from Alabama and through the Florida Panhandle and into Georgia will see lows that hover in the low to mid 30s this week. A stiff breeze picking up late Tuesday will bring the real feel readings even lower across the interior portions of the Southeast.

Florida will also get in on this cold weather action with temperatures expected to fall into the 40s in and around the Orlando area. Theme park goers will want to bring a warm jacket when headed out to the parks in the evening hours during the middle of the week. While it will be significantly warmer in the southern part of the Sunshine State, lows will fall below 60 degrees in Miami.

Heading up the coast into the Northeast, overnight lows in Northeast are forecast to plummet into the 20s for the first time this season. New York City is bracing for temperatures to drop into the 20s early Wednesday, a benchmark not seen since last spring. Combined with the wind, the real feel readings will likely be even colder. Although the winds will begin to lessen later in the afternoon and evening in the Big Apple, it will remain cold as thousands gather to watch the annual tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center.

Real feel temperatures will trend into the single digits heading into the interior portions of the Northeast and up through the Great Lakes. In addition, lake-effect snow will also be a concern in areas downwind of the lakes.

When Will the Cold Temperatures Lift?

Looking ahead, the unseasonably cold temperatures will begin to lift by the end of the week over the eastern third of the U.S. Residents can count on temperatures rebounding to about average levels for the beginning of December. Some areas may even see the mercury inch a bit over the historical average, including temperatures in the upper 40s for New York City and the mid 50s in Washington, D.C. Widespread readings in the 60s will be the norm for the Southeast heading into the weekend.

However, the warmer temperatures will also come with another shot of moisture in the days ahead. The lower portion of the Mississippi Valley is forecast to see scattered rain showers and thunderstorms as the week comes to a close. This line of precipitation will eventually make its way to the coast. Meanwhile, another storm system is forecast to impact the southeastern U.S. over the weekend. Be sure to stay tuned to the local forecast if you live in this area and have outdoor plans.

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