5 Things We're Watching in the Weather This Week

Linda Lam
Published: December 11,2016
An active weather pattern will persist across the U.S. this week. This will result in multiple chances for wintry weather in the northern tier.
In addition, a blast of very cold temperatures is expected to plunge into the U.S.
There are some differences in the forecast models, which is common several days out in an active pattern, so there is uncertainty in the forecast specifics. But, there is confidence in the overall pattern of arctic air spreading into the U.S. and multiple disturbances moving through the country, due to an active Pacific jet stream.
Below, we highlight what we are watching for this week, so be sure to check back to weather.com for updates.

1) Winter Storm Caly

Snow from Winter Storm Caly is expected to impact the Great Lakes and Northeast into Monday, likely disrupting travel.

Snowfall Forecast

Light to moderate snow will stretch from the Great Lakes region through much of the Northeast Sunday night into Monday.
Snow or a mix of rain and snow is even possible in the Interstate-95 corridor Sunday night.
(MORE: Winter Storm Caly Detailed Forecast)
Snow totals of over 5 inches are possible in a stripe from the southern Great Lakes to interior New England.

2) Frigid Temperatures

The first arctic blast of the season moved into the U.S. this past week and another round of even colder temperatures is ahead this week.

Forecast Highs

An arctic cold front will push through the Midwest midweek and high pressure will move in behind it. This will allow the coldest temperatures of the season, so far, to be experienced, especially in the Midwest and Northeast.
(MORE: Coldest Air of the Season Ahead)
The frigid temperatures will first move into the northern Rockies and northern Plains on Monday. Temperatures 10 to 30 degrees below average will then spread into the central Plains and Midwest by Wednesday. These chilly conditions will eventually reach the East coast late in the week.
Lows will be below zero from the northern Rockies into the upper Midwest, possibly including the Chicago area. Highs for many in this region will also only reach single digits. Therefore, dangerous wind chills are a concern.
On Thursday, highs are not expected to reach the freezing mark from Boston to Washington D.C. and lows will tumble into the teens and single digits for the interior Northeast.
Temperatures will also be colder than average for northern areas of the South, but exactly how far south the bitter cold reaches is uncertain.

3) Late Week Winter Storm?

There is the potential for another winter storm late in the week and into next weekend from the Rockies and northern Plains to the Midwest and Northeast.
(MORE: Another Cross-Country Winter Storm is Possible Late This Week)

Friday Night's Forecast

Details are uncertain, but given the very cold temperatures that are expected across the northern tier later in the week, wintry precipitation could be a concern in many locations. Check back with weather.com for updates on this next potential round of wintry weather.
(MAPS: Weekly Planner)

4) Rain Returns to the South

A cold front is expected to move into the South by Monday. This system is forecast to stall along the Gulf coast early this week, before lifting out of the region.

This Week's Forecast

Showers will begin to develop Sunday night from eastern Texas into the Tennessee Valley. Much-needed rainfall will then slide eastward on Monday stretching from the lower Mississippi Valley into the Southeast.
The chance for showers will continue for most areas into Wednesday. However, rainfall is generally expected to be light with most locations receiving less than one inch. Given the ongoing drought, any rainfall is welcome.
(MORE: Two Rounds of Rain Brought Some Drought Improvement)
Widespread severe thunderstorms are not currently expected as instability appears to be relatively low. However, thunderstorms are possible, especially toward the Gulf coast.

5) Stormy in the West

A series of disturbances will bring rain and snow to portions of the West in the week ahead.

This Week's Forecast

Early in the week, the best chance for rain and snow showers will be from northern and central California into the Pacific Northwest and parts of the inter-mountain West.
In the midweek time period, rain and snow showers will persist from northern and central California into the inter-mountain West.
Late in the week, another low-pressure system is expected to approach the California coast. This would bring the chance for rain and snow to much of the region.
(MORE: Winter Storm Caly Impacts the Northwest)
There is also the potential for a colder air mass to be in place in the Pacific Northwest late this week, which would lower snow levels and bring the risk of snow, once again, to the Seattle and Portland areas by Thursday.
MORE: Winter Storm Caly, December 2016 (PHOTOS)