Here's What’s Coming Next After Hurricane Matthew

Brian Donegan
Published: October 10,2016
Parts of the Eastern United States will be spending the next several days cleaning up the mess Hurricane Matthew left behind, especially the Southeast and southern mid-Atlantic.
Residents that evacuated will be returning home, and many may be wondering what the week ahead has in store while cleanup efforts are taking place.
(MORE: How to Help Matthew's Victims)
Here are the weather stories we are tracking this week across the United States.

Areas Hit Hard By Matthew: No Stormy Weather For Cleanup

While residents of the Southeast return home to Matthew's devastation, one piece of good news is that high pressure will dominate the region right through the week, meaning dry weather and no conditions that would inhibit cleanup efforts.
(MORE: Hurricane Matthew Brings Record River Flooding to North Carolina)

High temperatures will be in the 60s and 70s across much of the Southeast, with lows falling into the 40s and 50s overnight. These numbers are below average for this time of year, so those who are still without power will not need to worry about staying cool without air conditioning. In fact, you may need an extra blanket to throw on the bed at night.
(LATEST NEWS: Matthew's Severe Flooding in North Carolina)
Across the Florida Peninsula, temperatures will be warmer, as expected. Highs will range from the upper 70s to mid-80s through the week, with lows in the mid-60s to low 70s. These temperatures are right around average for mid-October.
(FORECAST: Jacksonville | Savannah | Charleston | Fayetteville)

Shot of Chilly Weather, Some Snow From Montana to Northern Plains and Upper Midwest

More winter-like conditions will set up early this week from Montana to the northern Plains and Upper Midwest as a dip in the jet stream pivots eastward through midweek.
High temperatures will be 15 to 25 degrees below average on Tuesday from Montana into the northern Plains. By Wednesday, much of the Plains and upper Midwest will be 10 to 20 degrees below average.
Highs will likely end up above average again Friday into the weekend, so this cold shot of air will be rather short-lived.

Forecast Highs

Low temperatures will also be well below average through Thursday morning. The coldest temperatures will be in the mountains of northern and western Montana, perhaps dipping into the teens in the highest elevations Wednesday morning. However, widespread 20s and 30s are expected into Wyoming, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Minnesota, northern Iowa and northwest Wisconsin.
(MAPS: Current Temperatures)

Forecast Morning Lows

Additionally, snow will fall across portions of Montana and northern Wyoming through Tuesday. Rain may change to snow in the western Dakotas, as well.
As much as 6 to 12 inches of snow is possible in Montana for areas above 5,000 feet, with places below 5,000 feet forecast to receive 3 to 6 inches. The lowest elevations of southern Montana into northern Wyoming will only pick up a dusting to an inch or two of snow.

Forecast Snowfall

Series of Storms Headed For the West

As an upper-level ridge of high pressure (bulge in the jet stream) departs to the east, a cold front will move into the West by Wednesday night.
Therefore, after several days of dry weather, a stretch of wet and windy weather will impact the region late week into the weekend as a series of strong disturbances pushes through.
(MAPS: 7-Day Forecast Highs and Weather)

Rainfall Forecast

Several inches of rain are possible across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, northern California and northern Nevada. Some wet snow could also fall over the highest elevations of the Cascades and the northern Sierra Nevada.
Some of this rainfall has the potential to lead to flash flooding, particularly in urban and poor-drainage areas. The heaviest rain is expected to set up close to the coast, where over 5 inches of rain could fall by late Sunday.
Gusty winds will accompany the rain and mountain snow, especially along the coast and in the higher terrain.
MORE: Aerial Photos of Hurricane Matthew's Damage