Overnight Lows Will Plummet Across Eastern Half of U.S.

Posted: April 22, 2023 10:16 am

Just when you think spring is here to stay and summer is right around the corner, a new mass of cold air is moving through the central and eastern portions of the U.S. This surge of chilly air could bring overnight lows down into the 20s with the threat of frost and freezes in the cards.

Here is what you need to know about the weather forecast heading into the weekend.

When Will the Cold Air Arrive?

The cold air is moving across the Midwest and into the Northeast this weekend. The last several weeks have been distinguished by multiple surges in the mercury followed by rapid cooldowns.

This trend will continue over the next few days and into the early part of May for the eastern half of the country.

Many cities have seen this weather whiplash up close. For instance, Chicago saw a high of 83 degrees on April 13 and 14 after experiencing a reading of 30 degrees to start the month.

It has been a similar situation in cities such as New York City and Baltimore with wide ranges of temperatures within a period of just a few days.

The temperature began falling in the Midwest on Saturday with the mercury expected to continue the free fall on Sunday in the Northeast. Some areas may see record low falls after the sun goes down.

The part of the nation expected to see the most dramatic cooldown includes the Ohio Valley and the region just west of the Appalachian Mountains. Temperatures could fall as much as 25 degrees in 24 hours by Saturday afternoon in this area.

Lows will plummet into the 20s across the northern Plains this weekend. The Great Lakes will see overnight lows that fall into the low 30s while the central Plains and the Tennessee Valley sees lows that drop into the upper 30s. Temperatures of this magnitude will raise the risk of a late-season frost for places such as Nashville.

The East Coast is forecast to experience the cold in two different waves. The first of these surges will hit Saturday and Sunday. This weather pattern will bring rain and thunderstorms along with it. The Appalachians region will be the first to see the cold on Saturday with the coastal areas noticing the change by Sunday.

The swing in temperatures will not be as drastic in areas along the Interstate 95 corridor when compared to the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. However, the readings will still land at about 10 to 20 degrees below what is normal for the middle of April. It will also be noticeably cooler than what the region experienced this past week.

Falling Overnight Lows Will Bring Threat of Frosts or Freezes

The higher terrains of the central Appalachians can expect to see lows that dip as low as the upper 20s for consecutive nights. This will compare to lows in the mid 50s for the populated Interstate 95 corridor beginning Sunday and lasting through the middle of the week.

While frosts at this time of the year are not out of the ordinary, the warmer than average winter has translated to many plants and flowers already in full bloom.

The frost and potential freezes could put some of this vegetation at risk of damage. It may be a good idea to cover these plants or bring them indoors, if possible.

Temperatures across the Midwest and the Northeast have hovered at 3 to 6 degrees above normal for the year. This has resulted in a much earlier blooming season than is typical.

As such, the upcoming threat of frosts or freezes could damage tender buds and blooms.

Looking ahead to late next week, forecasters are calling for a more active storm track. Although this will bring more moisture to much of the central and eastern U.S., it will also bring along warmer temperatures with it.

However, you cannot rule out the chance of more frost and freeze events across the northern half of the country well into May.

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