Pattern Change Brings Winter Back to the Northeast, Midwest; Gives Storm-Weary West a Break

Brian Donegan
Published: January 25,2017
A pattern change is underway over the U.S., which will bring a well-deserved break from the recent stormy siege in the West and temperatures closer to late-January averages to parts of the Midwest and East.
The recent setup has featured a persistent jet stream southward dip over the West with a northward jet stream bulge over the eastern half of the nation. This has trapped stormy, chilly weather in the West and allowed mild temperatures to engulf the East.
(MORE: Spring 2017 Temperature Outlook)
Late this week, that pattern will essentially flip, with a high-pressure ridge over the West and a broad southward plunge in the jet stream overtaking the Midwest and Northeast.
This will allow warmer, drier air to gradually build into the West as somewhat colder air drifts southward out of Canada into the East.

Early Week vs. Late Week Weather Pattern

We recently named Portland, Oregon, America's most winter-fatigued city because it saw five winter storms in about five weeks. One of those storms was Winter Storm Jupiter, the city's heaviest snowstorm since February 1995, which brought 8 inches of snow to the Portland National Weather Service office.
For comparison, Syracuse, New York, the snowiest large city in the United States, has only received 6.2 inches of snow this month, through Jan. 25. That is over 21 inches below average for January.

Thursday

The leftovers of Winter Storm Leo will spread some rain and snow across the Northeast Thursday. A cold front on the south side of that system will drop temperatures in the Southeast, as 60s are replaced by 40s and 50s.
Colder air will begin working into the Northeast by Thursday night, setting the stage for a multi-day siege of lake-effect snow in the typical Great Lakes snowbelt locations. Meanwhile, highs in the 50s and 60s are expected along the West Coast, with upper 40s in the Pacific Northwest.
(MORE: Prolonged Lake-Effect Snow Event Ahead; Feet of Snow Expected in Great Lakes Snowbelts)

Thursday's Forecast

Friday

By Friday, most areas in the Midwest and South will see temperatures 15 to 25 degrees colder than midweek, and lake-effect snow will continue to pile up downwind of the five Great Lakes.
(MORE: Climate Change Could Bring More Lake-Effect Snow)
Highs in the Southeast will generally be in the 40s and 50s, with 60s as far south as central Florida. Highs in the 30s and lower 40s will remain in the Northeast, still above average for late January, but cooler than earlier in the week. Pleasant conditions continue in the West.

Friday's Forecast

Saturday

South Florida will finally see relief from the warm temperatures by Saturday, with highs only making it into the 70s. North and central Florida may only see highs in the upper 50s or low 60s. Most of the Northeast will be stuck in the 30s.
(MORE: Major Northeast Snowstorms Have a Distinct Peak, And It's Now)
Highs should warm into the 50s in the Pacific Northwest, and 50s or 60s should dominate much of California and the Desert Southwest. Cold air inversions in the Great Basin, however, will keep highs in the cold 20s in locations such as Boise, Idaho, and Salt Lake City, Utah, with at least morning, if not all-day, low clouds and fog.

Saturday's Forecast

Sunday

Somewhat colder air makes its way into the Northeast. Some places will get stuck in the 20s for highs in Pennsylvania, New York state and New England.
(MORE: Most of U.S. Has Passed Coldest Time of Year)
While lake-effect snow bands continue in the Great Lakes, some snow showers are possible as far south as the southern Appalachians and hills of east Tennessee and eastern Kentucky.
The weather in the West remains quiet, and highs in the 70s should return to southern California. Temperatures in the 60s are expected in much of central and northern California, with 50s in the Pacific Northwest. The Front Range of the Rockies will also see highs in the 50s return, including Denver.
However, as stated before, the Great Basin cold will remain locked in, with 20s for highs in Boise, Idaho, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sunday's Forecast

While some light rain is possible in the Pacific Northwest Sunday, rain and mountain snow should hold off in California and the rest of the West until next Tuesday or Wednesday.
(MAPS: 7-Day U.S. Forecast Rain/Snow)

MORE: Winter Storm Leo (Photos)