Pre-Thanksgiving Cold Blast to Chill Midwest, Eastern US

By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

November 23,2015; 10:44PM,EST

 

 

The coldest air since last spring will chill the Midwest and Eastern United States into Tuesday.
This stretch of cold air will be a shock for many as much of November has been mild and well above average. This will make the outdoor air feel even colder than it actually is.
Jackets and winter coats will be needed for any outdoor activities or early holiday shopping.

Cold Air Remains Anchored in the East

Daytime high temperatures will generally range between 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average at the height of the cold snap. It will feel more like December than late November.
The arctic air will continue to funnel from the Midwest to the East Coast on Monday.

Lake-effect snow will gradually diminish on Monday ahead of an approaching clipper system, which will spread a swath of snow from northern Minnesota through Michigan and into western New York into Tuesday.
Accumulations in most locations will generally range from a coating to an inch, though localized higher amounts cannot be ruled out. That is especially true where there is isolated enhancement from the warmer lake waters.
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Monday looks to be the coldest day across the Northeast this week.
"This week will start out with temperatures no higher than the 40s along the I-95 corridor," AccuWeather Meteorologist Becky Elliott said. "It will feel much colder compared to last week, when temperatures reached the 60s."
Across the southeastern U.S., chilly air will continue to build across the region on Monday. Cooler air will even plunge into portions of Florida.
Atlanta and Montgomery, Alabama, received their first freeze of the season on Sunday night.

High temperatures on Monday will only reach the 40s across portions of the mid-Atlantic to the 50s across the Deep South and the Florida Panhandle.
Orlando, Florida, may not reach 70 F for the first time since Feb. 28.

Milder air will regain control over the Eastern states heading toward Thanksgiving. Along with the mild air, dry weather is in store for holiday travelers.
Thanksgiving Day will likely be warmer than Halloween was for many communities.