Arctic Cold Blast Ahead For the Midwest, Great Lakes, South Early Next Week

Quincy Vagell
Published: February 6,2016



 
A sharp, southward plunge in the jet stream early in the new week ahead will bring much colder Arctic air from the Upper Midwest to the Gulf Coast and East. The cold air may also set the stage for several snow opportunities along the East Coast.
(MORE: Two More Chances of Snow Coming Up)
Cold air is nothing unusual for February, especially across the Midwest and Great Lakes. However, following a recent January thaw, the pattern may make you forget about any groundhog’s call for an early spring.

Setup Early Next Week

Mild Midwest Temperatures Into Sunday

Prior to the arrival of an "Alberta clipper” cold front, temperatures will remain above early-February averages this weekend in the Midwest.
Parts of the western Dakotas rose well into 50s on Saturday, temperatures more typical of early spring than early February. Bismarck, North Dakota set a daily record high on Saturday after reaching 54 degrees.
The relative warmth shifts east on Sunday through the Midwest, with temperatures around 10 degrees above average. This means Minneapolis rises into the mid-30s, while St. Louis surges into the 50s. This should melt some of the heavy snowpack from Winter Storm Kayla in the nation's heartland.
(FORECAST: Aberdeen, South Dakota | Green Bay | Peoria)
Enjoy the milder weather while it lasts, because colder changes are right around the corner.

Clipper Brings Snow and Cold to the Midwest

The Alberta clipper cold front will sweep quickly from the Upper Midwest on Sunday to the Southeast coast by Monday evening.
Strong winds associated with the system may cause blizzard conditions from blowing snow over parts of the north-central states later Sunday into early Monday.
(MORE: Another Blizzard in the Forecast?)
The coldest air will be felt starting Monday morning in the Upper Midwest.
Highs will top out 10 to 20 degrees colder on Monday than the expected highs on Sunday. The result is a return to below-average temperatures across much of the region.

Midwest Forecast Highs Into Next Week

After rising to near 40 over the weekend, Chicago stays in the 20s on Monday with periods of snow. In the Upper Mississippi Valley, highs may hold in the teens on Monday, followed by a few subzero lows Tuesday morning. Widespread temperatures 15 to 25 degrees below average are anticipated on Tuesday, with parts of Minnesota only rising into the single digits for highs.
Farther south, daytime highs may stay below freezing across much of Missouri and Kentucky. However, despite the colder air, it is unlikely that this airmass will be impressive enough to cause any record low temperatures around the region.

Forecast Highs Early Next Week

Our latest guidance suggests the cold will anchor over the Great Lakes, Northeast and parts of the Southeast into Valentine's Day weekend.
(MAPS: 10-day Forecast Highs/Lows)

Cooler Air Reaches the South, Too

In response to a dip in the jet stream, a storm system is forecast to develop near the Southeast coast by Sunday. As low pressure develops just east of the Carolinas, colder air will begin to wrap around the system.
Highs in the 50s this weekend in Nashville will give way to 30s on Monday with some wet snow or mixed precipitation possible. Snow may impact locations as far south as the southern Appalachians.

Forecast Highs in the South Into Next Week

Widespread temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees below average are expected by Tuesday from the South, eastward to the parts of the mid-Atlantic states. Average highs may be in the mid-50s for Atlanta, but temperatures could struggle to get out of the 30s on Tuesday.
Through the middle of the week, colder air slides as far south and east as Florida, where northern and even central parts of the Sunshine State can expect highs in the 50s Tuesday and Wednesday.
(FORECAST: Pensacola | Tallahassee)
Temperatures will be faster to recover in the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley during the week, but may remain either near or below mid-February averages much of the week in the Tennessee Valley, Carolinas, and perhaps parts of Florida.
MORE: Winter Storm Lexi Photos