Four Things to Watch in This Week's Weather

Linda Lam
Published: April 16,2017

Several low-pressure systems will track across the U.S. this week, allowing rain and thunderstorms to impact much of the country.
Spring thunderstorms will continue to rumble from the Plains to the East Coast in the week ahead, and the risk of severe storms may increase by late week.
(MORE: Tornado Central)
The Pacific Northwest and northern California will continue to experience an active and unsettled weather pattern, at least through midweek.
If you are looking for warmth, head to the Southeast, where much of the week will be dry, as well.

1) Thunderstorms Will Rumble Across Parts of Central and Eastern U.S.

A cold front will push through the East into Monday, bringing showers and thunderstorms from the Northeast into parts of the South.
Another low-pressure system will move into the Plains Monday into Tuesday with another round of rain and thunderstorms, but no widespread severe weather is expected.

Early Week Forecast

This system will continue pushing east toward the East Coast through midweek, bringing showers and storms once again. However, the cold front associated with this system will stall over parts of the southern Plains and South, keeping thunderstorms in the forecast into late week.
Another disturbance will move from the Plains into the East in the mid-to-late week timeframe, bringing more showers and storms. That system could lead to an uptick in severe thunderstorm activity in the Plains and Midwest by Wednesday.
(MORE: Severe Thunderstorms Return to Midwest Wednesday; Threat Shifts East Thursday)
Locally heavy rain is possible through midweek, especially in areas of the central Plains into the upper Midwest.

2) Severe Threat Increases Late Week?

Late this week, another area of low pressure will move from the Southwest into the southern Plains. There are some indications that this system will bring more of a threat of severe thunderstorms.
This low-pressure system will likely move into the central or southern Plains late this week or early next weekend.

Friday's Forecast

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop in the Plains into next weekend, and some of these storms may be severe.
(MAPS: Weekly Planner)
Given the active pattern and that this late-week system is several days away, the forecast details will change, so be sure to check back to weather.com for updates.

3) Unsettled Conditions Persist in the Pacific Northwest

Several disturbances will bring wet weather to portions of the Pacific Northwest through Thursday.
Rain developed once again in northern California on Sunday, with snow falling at elevations above 6,500 feet in the Sierra. Rain and higher-elevation snow will spread into Oregon, Washington, northern Nevada and Idaho by Monday morning.

This Week's Forecast

Rain and mountain snow are expected to persist at times throughout the region into Thursday. High pressure will build into the region late in the week, bringing a welcome break from the wet conditions.
Rainfall totals through Thursday will generally be less than 2 inches, while snowfall in the highest elevations of the Sierra and Cascades could reach a foot.
(MORE: California's Northern Sierra Nevada Surpasses All-Time Wettest 'Water Year')
The good news is that none of these systems are expected to be particularly strong, as the most notable aspect of this pattern is that this extended period of unsettled, wet weather is not typical in mid-to-late April in northern California. However, it is not all that surprising given the record-wet water season that has been experienced this year.

4) Warmer-Than-Average Temperatures Will Prevail in the South

Above-average temperatures will begin the week from the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast. The Northeast saw highs up to 30 degrees warmer than average Sunday.
After the first cold front pushes through the Northeast by Monday, temperatures will return closer to average. However, many areas from the central and southern Plains into the Southeast and mid-Atlantic will see the warmth persist into midweek.

Forecast Highs Compared To Average

Temperatures will remain 10 to 20 degrees warmer than average for much of the South and the mid-Atlantic into late week, as an upper-level ridge of high pressure is expected to remain in place.
(MORE: Here's When You Can Expect Your First 80- and 90-Degree Temperatures)
Highs will be in the 70s into the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic, with lows generally in the 50s into late week. High temperatures will climb well into the 80s for the Deep South and Southeast, with lows dipping into the 60s.

MORE: Severe Weather Outbreak in the South, April 4-5, 2017 (PHOTOS)

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