Temperature Rebound and Two Other Things To Watch in the Weather This Week

Linda Lam
Published: December 20,2016
A pattern change this week will bring warmer temperatures to many areas of the U.S. that have been experiencing frigid conditions as of late.
An active weather pattern will also continue to bring rain and snow to the Pacific Northwest. Some light wintry weather is also expected in the northern tier.
(MORE: Top 10 Weather Stories of 2016 in the U.S.)
Below, we take a closer look at what we are watching in the weather in the week ahead. Be sure to check back to weather.com for updates.

1. Finally, a Rebound From the Cold

Relief from the brutally cold temperatures we've seen east of the Rockies the last several days is taking shape. A change in the jet-stream pattern will bring a more southerly flow and a gradual retreat of arctic air by the middle of the week.

High Temperatures Compared to Average

Well-below-average temperatures will be replaced with near to above-average temperatures.
The West and areas of the Plains will experience this transition beginning Tuesday, with most of the East seeing warmer temperatures by Wednesday or Thursday. Christmas weekend looks very mild for most of the central and eastern states.
(MORE: January Temperature Outlook)
Highs will once again climb above the freezing mark from the southern Great Lakes southward. Most of the Northeast will also see highs into the 30s and 40s, while temperatures reach the 50s and 60s in the South.
Lows will also rebound to closer to where they should be for this time of year.

2. Active West

The position of the jet stream will keep the storm track into the Pacific Northwest to start the week ahead. However, this is not unusual for this time of year.

Forecast This Week

The first two weather systems will bring moderate to locally heavy rain and snow to the higher elevations through Tuesday. An area of high pressure will allow for a brief period of dry conditions before the next system approaches the Northwest coast Thursday. That system will then slide southward towards California where heavy rain and more Sierra snow will pile up starting Friday.
(MAPS: Weekly Planner)

3. Wintry Weather Across Northern Tier

Two disturbances will bring the chance for wintry weather to sections of the northern Plains, upper Midwest, Great Lakes region and Northeast early this week. A more potent winter storm could then move in during the Christmas weekend.

Snowfall Outlook

The first disturbance will bring light snow from northeast Minnesota to northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during the first half of Tuesday.
(MORE: 8 Cool Things to Look for in Winter)
Then, a fast-moving area of low pressure will spread snow from the Cascades and northern Rockies Tuesday, into the northern Plains and northern Great Lakes Wednesday, then primarily northern New England Thursday.
(MAPS: 7-Day U.S. Snow/Rain Forecasts)
Other than the Cascades and northern Rockies, where heavy snow will fall, snow totals from the northern Plains to northern New England should be light to moderate, at most, generally less than 6 inches.
Some patchy light sleet or freezing rain can't be ruled out in parts of the northern Plains and upper Midwest late Tuesday into Wednesday.
A stronger storm system could bring more widespread snow, wind and a wintry mix to the Upper Midwest and northern Plains during the Christmas weekend.
(MORE: Christmas Weekend Snowstorm)
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