Share Short Link Full Link Warm Temperatures Spread Across Plains, East This Week

Linda Lam
Published: February 15,2016




 
Relief from the bitterly cold air is ahead, as a big temperature change is on the way for areas east of the Rockies this week. After the blast of arctic air that moved through the Midwest, South and East late last week and this past weekend, warmer temperatures will surge into the central U.S. and eventually portions of the East.
(MORE: Record Cold in the Northeast)
The dip in the jet stream that brought the blast of arctic air to the East will slide off to the northeast later this week, as the strong upper-level ridge, or northward bulge in the jet stream, that has brought record warmth to parts of the West moves eastward. This upper-level ridge will weaken some as it shifts eastward and the pattern over the contiguous U.S. will become less amplified, with more of a west to east flow across the country.
(MORE: Record Heat in California, Southwest)

Setup Late This Week

The result will be significantly warmer temperatures across the Plains and Midwest by midweek. The warmer temperatures will also expand into the South and East by later this week.

Plains, Midwest Warmth

Frigid conditions were experienced across the Midwest late last week and into the weekend. The good news is the cold temperatures are not sticking around and a substantial warming trend is ahead this week across the central U.S.
Warmer temperatures will begin to build midweek in the Plains and eventually spread across the Midwest.
The central and southern Plains will see highs 10 to 15 degrees above average by Tuesday. This translates into highs in the 60s and 70s from eastern Colorado into northern Texas, while southern Texas will see highs in the 80s.
(FORECASTS: Rapid City, South Dakota | Denver | Dallas)
On Wednesday, much of the Plains will see high temperatures 10 to 20 degrees warmer than average for mid-February. Highs will climb into the 50s from Rapid City to Kansas City, with 60s and 70s from eastern Colorado to Louisiana. Highs will top out in the 80s in western and southern Texas.

Forecast Highs

Temperatures will be even warmer in the Plains and the Mississippi Valley by Thursday with highs up to 35 degrees above average. Low temperatures will also be warmer than average with much of the region seeing temperatures start the day above freezing, except for parts of North Dakota and the Upper Midwest.
International Falls, Minnesota saw their coldest temperature so far this season on Saturday with a low temperature of 29 degrees below zero. The average high in International Falls is in the lower 20s for mid-February but Thursday-Saturday highs will climb into the mid-30s.
In Chicago, wind chills dropped well below zero Friday night into Saturday morning. Chicago has an average high in the mid-30s for this time of year, but by the end of the week highs will reach the low to middle 50s.
A few record high temperatures are possible, especially on Thursday when the following cities could set new daily record highs (current record in parentheses): Rapid City, South Dakota (66 degrees); Denver (71 degrees); North Platte, Nebraska (71 degrees); Dodge City, Kansas (77 degrees); Amarillo, Texas (80 degrees); and Oklahoma City (78 degrees).
(FORECASTS: Kansas City | St. Louis | Oklahoma City)
In addition to the mild temperatures, it will be breezy at times which will lead to an elevated fire danger in portions of the southern Plains midweek.

Above-Average Temperatures Spread East

The expanse of warmer than average temperatures will grow later this week and will reach areas in the Southeast and Northeast by the weekend.
Numerous daily record low temperatures were set on Valentine's Day in the Northeast, including Boston (9 degrees below zero) and New York City (1 degree below zero). Many cities saw their coldest temperatures in decades on Sunday morning.
Temperatures began to recover on Monday and most of the East will see high and low temperatures near to above average on Tuesday. After slightly cooler temperatures midweek, another warming trend will commence by Friday or Saturday.

Forecast Highs Compares to Average

On Friday, high temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees warmer than average from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley into the Deep South. Highs will be in the 50s in the southern Great Lakes, with 60s for much of the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys and 70s will be found in parts of the South.
(FORECASTS: Detroit | Cincinnati | Nashville | Jackson, Mississippi)

Forecast Highs and Weather Conditions

The above average high temperatures will reach the East Coast for next weekend. Highs will reach the 40s and 50s in New England and Upstate New York with 50s and 60s in much of the Mid-Atlantic, while 70s will prevail throughout most of the Southeast.
Relatively warm conditions will also persist across the Plains and Midwest into the weekend, with highs up to 25 degrees above average in some areas of the central and southern Plains
(FORECASTS: Boston | Washington, DC | Atlanta)
Morning lows will also be well above average next weekend for areas east of the Rockies. In fact, temperatures will not drop below the freezing mark for most locations east of the Mississippi River next weekend. The only exceptions will be from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan into Upstate New York and northern New England.
(MAPS: 10-Day Forecast Highs and Lows)
The warmer temperatures will be a very welcome change from the subzero temperatures experienced this weekend. The above-average temperatures may even last into the beginning of next week.
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