Drastic Temperature Swings Setting Up Across Southeast, Northeast, and Beyond

Posted: November 3, 2023 9:56 am

Drought Conditions Continue to Worsen Along Gulf Coast and into the Southeast

It is shaping up to be an unseasonably warm weekend for the eastern and southern U.S. as high pressure builds over the region and reverses the cold snap that gripped the region to start the week. Here is what you can expect this weekend.

Outdoor Activities a Go This Weekend for East Coast

Over 150 million Americans in the eastern and southern sections of the country will enjoy warming temperatures over the next few days. The upward trajectory in the mercury is coming after many parts of the region experienced the coldest air since last spring. You can expect temperatures to climb between 25 and 50 degrees from what much of the region saw earlier in the week and on Halloween.

It should be a pleasant weekend for outdoor activities as the warmer temperature readings pair with mostly dry conditions. This will be a great time to prepare the yard for the winter or to check off any other outdoor chores from your to-do list.

How warm will it get? Atlanta will hover in the mid 70s by Sunday, a drastic change from the near freezing readings that were recorded early Wednesday. Readings in this range are about 15 degrees above what you would expect for the first weekend of November.

Heading to the south, Florida will see its usual steady temperatures throughout the weekend. While the western side of the peninsula should remain mostly dry, an influx of tropical moisture coming in from the Atlantic Ocean will fuel a greater chance of rain and thunderstorms for the eastern side of the Sunshine State. Swimmers and boaters will also want to be aware of the possibility of strong rip currents and rough surf conditions over the next few days.

Nashville will also enjoy temperatures in the mid 70s by the end of the weekend. This is particularly noteworthy after the Music City saw the mercury plunge into the upper 20s early Thursday. The temperatures will increase even more on Monday in this part of the country.

Residents of the Northeast will also get in on the warmup. New York City will see temperatures in the low 60s throughout the weekend, translating to an increase of up to 30 degrees from just a few days prior. The Big Apple is also forecast to remain dry, offering good news for those taking to the streets for the New York City marathon on Sunday morning.

After experiencing lows that approached the freezing mark early Thursday, both Philadelphia and Washington, DC will record temperatures in the upper 60s on Sunday. The mercury is forecast to climb to about 70 degrees on Monday for both of these major metropolitan areas.

A greater amount of clouds will stymie the warmup farther to the north in places such as Boston. This New England city should expect highs that top out in the upper 50s to low 60s through Sunday.

Not Quite as Warm in Northern U.S.

The Upper Midwest will not experience a warmup that is quite as notable. Chicago will plateau with readings in the mid to upper 50s on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The presence of more clouds and the chance of isolated rain showers will work to bring down the readings. However, it will still feel like a pleasant change when compared to the temperatures that dropped into the upper 20s early Wednesday in the Windy City.

It will be even chillier to the north in Minneapolis. The Twin Cities will see highs that hover in the upper 40s and into the mid 50s throughout the weekend. Like Chicago, the chance of spotty rain showers could put a damper on the weekend.

Lack of Rain Bad News for Drought

Although the dry and warm weather provides a nice backdrop for outdoor activities, it is not good news for the worsening drought in the Southeast. According to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, a large part of the Southeast remains at extreme and exceptional drought levels. This includes much of the states of Louisiana and Mississippi.

This area is also at risk of wildfire danger thanks to higher amounts of dry leaves littering the ground. Forecasters are warning that residents should take care when using outdoor grills or open flames. The fallen dry leaves and other types of dormant brush work as fuel for these fires.

Unfortunately, the long-range forecast is not offering much hope in terms of meaningful moisture for the South. The forecast is calling for more unseasonable warmth and dry conditions throughout the Mississippi Delta, the Gulf Coast, and beyond.

The ongoing drought has proved to be especially problematic for the water levels in the Mississippi River. The rain that fell last week to the north is now making its way into the lower half of the river this week. However, experts caution that the water levels will likely fall again by the middle of the month with the upcoming dry pattern on the horizon.

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