Thursday's Weather Outlook

A cold front sweeping through the central and eastern U.S. will dominate Thursday’s weather, while a Pacific storm continues to drench the Northwest with heavy rain and mountain snow.

The cold front will stretch from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, bringing rain, gusty winds, and cooler temperatures. Showers will move through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast in the morning, becoming steadier by the afternoon and evening. Temperatures across the Northeast will range from the 40s to 50s, with gusty conditions following the front. Meanwhile, behind the system, the Midwest will dry out as temperatures drop into the 30s and 40s, accompanied by breezy winds.

Further south, scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms are likely across the Southeast and Gulf Coast during the morning hours. Conditions will improve later in the day, leaving cooler, drier air in place. Highs will hover in the 50s and 60s across the region.

To the west, much colder air will settle over the northern Plains and Rockies, with highs only in the 20s and 30s. Lingering light snow will taper off during the day, though slick roads may still pose a travel hazard in some areas.

The Pacific Northwest remains locked in an active pattern as a powerful storm stalls offshore. Heavy rain will continue to soak northern California, with totals of 2 to 5 inches in the valleys. The northern Sierra Nevada and Klamath Mountains could see an additional 1 to 2 feet of snow. Further north, Washington and Oregon will see lighter precipitation, with a few inches of fresh snow possible in the Cascades. Highs in the Pacific Northwest will stay in the chilly 30s and 40s. Strong winds in these areas, with gusts of 40 to 70 mph, could down trees and power lines, especially in saturated areas.

Quiet weather will persist across the Southwest under high pressure. Temperatures will be comfortable, with highs in the 50s and 60s under mostly sunny skies.

Temperatures nationwide will reflect the advancing cold air. Expect 40s and 50s in the Northeast, 30s and 40s in the Midwest, 20s and 30s in the northern Plains and Rockies, and 50s to 60s in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Southwest, and southern California. The Pacific Northwest will remain in the 30s and 40s.