Weekend Weather Preview

A major winter storm will wreak havoc on weekend plans across the U.S. Not only will there be soggy, wintry weather, but the coldest air of the season so far will make an appearance.

Saturday
An upper-level weather system will deepen over the nation’s midsection on Saturday, sending a cold front through the Eastern U.S. The western fringes of the weather system will also have some moisture associated with it.

The cold front will advance from the Midwest, Ohio Valley and Deep South into the Eastern Seaboard for the entire day. Rain showers will soak most areas, including the Deep South, Southeast, most of the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England. There could even be a few thunderstorms in parts of the Southeast.

Temperatures, however, will be cold enough for wet snow to fall in the Great Lakes, Midwest and Ohio Valley into the Appalachian Spine and the interior Northeast. With the Great Lakes remaining warm, some areas downwind could see some enhancement to snow.

The other area to watch would be Rockies and High Plains. Here, light to moderate snow will be found throughout the day. The best chance for accumulating snow and travel impacts would be across the Colorado Front Range.

High pressure will build over the Western U.S., fostering a dry and quiet day. The southern Plains should also join in on the settled weather.

The coldest areas on Saturday will be the tallest peaks of the Rockies as well as the northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley, where highs remain in single digits or even below zero! Expect teens and 20s for the rest of the Mountain West, though the lowest elevations could see some 30s. Teens and 20s will also be in the forecast for the central Plains, Mid-Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes. The Northwest as well as parts of the southern Plains, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast will record highs in the 30s and 40s. California, the Tennessee Valley and Carolinas will generally see 40s and 50s, with 60s and 70s for the Desert Southwest and Gulf Coast. South Florida could even see a few 80s.
 
Sunday
The large weather system from Saturday will remain settled over the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. on Sunday. The cold front associated with it will become nearly stationary over the East, allowing waves of moisture and atmospheric energy to move along it.

Steady rain and perhaps a thunderstorm or two will occur in the Southeast and the northern Florida Peninsula during the morning. There will continue to be a good chance of rain and isolated thunderstorms throughout Florida in the afternoon and evening, with a few showers lingering across the Southeast.

Light to briefly moderate snow will fall over the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley for the morning. Light snow could continue over these areas for the rest of the day, while moderate to even briefly heavy snow develops across the Mid-Atlantic and southern portions of the Northeast later in the day. There could also be some freezing rain and sleet that mixes in closer to the coast. Flurries or light snow spreads to the rest of the Northeast late at night.

Besides a few lingering flurries or very light snow showers in the Rockies, dry weather will prevail for the Western and Central U.S. under high pressure.

Bitter cold temperatures are in store for the northern Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley and western Great Lakes, with temperatures remaining as low as minus 15 degrees. With the wind chill, it will feel even colder, so make sure to wear extra layers and cover any exposed skin if you head out.

Single digits and teens will occur from the Rockies and central Plains into the Midwest, Ohio Valley and interior Northeast. Thirties and 40s are in store for the Northwest, Great Basin and most of the Southwest into the southern Plains, Tennessee Valley, Mid-Atlantic and southern New England. California and the Desert Southwest will see upper 40s, 50s and lower 60s. Meanwhile