Blast of Cold Air Will Sweep Through Central and Eastern States

November 19,2015
After mild weather earlier this week, temperatures are starting to fall back to levels more typical of November in parts of the central and eastern United States through this weekend.
The first shot of colder air is currently spreading from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley toward the Northeast, behind a strong low pressure system in Canada. In most cases, temperatures will fall back to near-average levels in the Northeast Friday.
For example, the recent highs in the 50s and low 60s in Chicago were replaced with highs in the 40s Thursday, with that continuing on Friday. Minneapolis stayed in the 30s on Thursday, following their recent run in the 50s and low 60s. Much of the same is expected on Friday.
(FORECAST: Billings | Minneapolis | Sioux Falls)
Then, another blast of chilly air will sweep eastward through the central and eastern states this weekend behind a low pressure system that could bring the first accumulating snow of the season to parts of the Midwest.
(MORE: First Accumulating Snow For Chicago, Milwaukee?)
This second surge of colder air will be more potent, dropping temperatures 5-15 degrees below average in portions of the Midwest, South and East Saturday into Sunday.
Low temperatures are likely to dip into the teens and 20s this weekend in parts of the Midwest. Some locations in the South will likely see their first freeze of the season on Sunday or Monday morning.
Here are some specifics for each region this weekend (click city name for more information).
Midwest:

• Chicago and Minneapolis: Highs will only be in the 20 and 30s on Saturday and Sunday. Lows will likely dip into the teens.
• Detroit and Cincinnati: Highs in the 40s to near 50 degrees on Saturday, then 30s on Sunday. Lows in the 20s Sunday morning.
• Kansas City and St. Louis: Highs in the upper 30s to middle 40s are expected. Lows in the middle to low 20s expected Sunday morning.

Forecast Highs

Northeast:

• Buffalo and Pittsburgh: Highs in the upper 30s forecast for Sunday. Lows in the 20s either Sunday or Monday morning.
• Boston, New York and Washington: Highs in the upper 40s to mid-50s this weekend.

Forecast Highs

South:

• Dallas and Little Rock: Highs drop into the low 50s by Saturday with lows tumbling into the 30s on Sunday morning.
• Atlanta and Raleigh: Highs may struggle to get above 50 Sunday and lows will drop to near the freezing mark by Monday morning.

Forecast Highs

MORE: Winter in Every State