Temperature Roller Coaster to Continue in the Midwest and Northeast

Posted: December 2, 2022 11:14 am

It has been a bit of a rocky weather pattern over the last week for much of the northern U.S. Strong winds, lake-effect snow events, and cold temperatures have come and gone, sending residents on a roller coaster ride. However, forecasters are predicting that the cold air will settle in for good in the region beginning next week as the storm track moves farther to the south.

Warmer Air to be Replaced Quickly

November lived up to its reputation as a transitional month for weather in this part of the country. The competing cold and warm air masses were a major storyline as residents were left to wonder what the day would bring.

The end of the month ended on a cold note after a strong storm system roared down from the Rockies and into the Upper Midwest and northern Plains. Friday will bring a a slightly warmer day as the mercury begins to climb in the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley before reaching the mid-Atlantic and New England on Saturday. These readings will be a nice respite from the cold, with the mercury predicted to climb into the 50s for cities such as Pittsburgh and New York City to end the week.

While readings in the 50s may not seem warm to most people, it will represent a dramatic shift from the highs in the lower 30s across the region on Thursday. The temperature is forecast to climb to near 60 degrees along some parts of the mid-Atlantic coast by Saturday. However, a good chance of rain will accompany these warmer readings, stymying the plans of many to get outside.

The showers will fire up as the cold air transitions to warmer air. The good news for those already weary of the snow is that the arrival of warmer temperatures will mean that the bulk of the moisture associated with this system will fall as rain. The only areas forecast to see snow over the next few days is the northern edge of the Plains and the Upper Midwest.

In addition, the rain should be limited to straight showers rather than severe storms. That said, a few showers may contain rain that is heavy enough to complicate travel up and down the East Coast at times during the day Saturday.

Winds Also a Factor to Watch For

The winds may also be a factor with this upcoming weather pattern. While most gusts will top out at 50 mph, there is the possibility of a few isolated gusts up to 70 mph. Power outages and tree damage are a possibility with winds of this strength. Be sure to take the time to secure any outdoor holiday decorations if you are in the line of fire for these winds.

Drier air will be back in the forecast by the end of the weekend, making this day likely the best chance to get outdoors. Temperatures are also forecast to remain relatively mild on Sunday.

What is Next?

Another storm is brewing on the horizon, predicted to move to the East Coast from the central U.S. by early next week. This storm will move at a fast clip, bringing pockets of rain to the Ohio Valley and the Northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Also looking ahead, the colder air that had been primarily anchored over the northern U.S. this season will dive farther to the south starting the middle of next week. This cold air is predicted to hang on for at last one week in the Midwest, Northeast, and interior South. With this cold air in place, it is also more likely that snow will build in this part of the U.S.

The long-range forecast shows a good chance of snow in the central and southern Plains extending into the Ohio Valley next Thursday and Friday. This wintry precipitation may be spread out over a few different rounds.

The chances of snow will depend on how much cold air surrounds the moisture as it moves to the east. The bottom line is that forecasters are warning that Midwest and Northeast are entering the season in which precipitation is more likely to fall as snow rather than rain.

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