5 Things To Watch In Next Week's Weather

Linda Lam
Published: February 25,2017
An active week in weather is ahead for much of the East as February end and March begins. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected across the South, and parts of the northern tier may see wintry conditions at times.
Meanwhile, most of the West will see a pattern change, which is expected to bring a welcome dry stretch.
(MORE: 6 Unusual Things the February Pattern Has Brought)

1. Storms Will Rumble Across the South

Early next week, multiple upper-level disturbances, along with an increase in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, will spread rain and thunderstorms from eastern Texas into the Southeast.

Early Week Forecast

Showers will begin to develop in Texas on Sunday and will stretch into the lower Mississippi Valley Sunday night. A few thunderstorms will also likely form by Sunday night.
Rain and thunderstorms will become more widespread on Monday with the best chance for thunderstorms from eastern Texas into southern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.
(MORE: Tornado Central)
Much of the South will see the risk of thunderstorms Tuesday, with a few strong to severe storms possible.
Light to moderate rainfall is anticipated, with many areas from southern Arkansas into northern Georgia and Tennessee expected to receive 1 to 3 inches of rainfall through Tuesday night. Locally heavy rainfall may accompany some thunderstorms, which will create hazardous driving conditions.

2. Drier Weather Is Ahead for California

Two low-pressure systems may bring a chance of rain and snow this weekend and Monday in parts of the West, but the good news is that neither system will have as much moisture as recent storms.
These two systems will also be colder, which will allow snow to fall at lower elevations. This will also help to alleviate flood concerns.

Wednesday's Forecast

On Sunday, rain and snow could be seen from northern California into the Pacific Northwest. A few rain and snow showers may develop in central and southern California on Monday, but impacts will be limited.
(MORE: As Southern California Drought Improves, Record Pace Persists for Sierra Nevada Precipitation)
The good news is that by mid-week, an upper-level ridge of high pressure is expected to build into the West, bringing a stretch of dry conditions to most of the region, including California. Any rain and snow showers will likely be confined to western Washington, northwestern Oregon and toward the Canadian border.
Slightly warmer temperatures are also expected across the West late in the week.

3. Above-Average Temperatures Are Expected Early in the Week

After a brief period of cooler temperatures this weekend, the above-average warmth will return. High temperatures are expected to be closer to average behind Winter Storm Quid through Sunday.

Forecast Highs

However, that return to average will not last long, as temperatures will rebound early next week.
Highs will once again be 15 to 30 degrees warmer than average from the Plains to the East Coast Monday through Wednesday.
(MORE: 10-Day Forecast)
Widespread record highs are not expected in the week ahead, but a few records will likely be set, especially in the Southeast on Wednesday. This warmth will be short-lived, as a cold front will move through in the middle and end of the week.

4. A Mid- to Late-Week Cold Front Will Bring Changes to the East

The cold front mentioned above will move through the Plains and Midwest by Wednesday and push off the East Coast on Thursday.

Late Week Forecast

This cold front will bring showers and thunderstorms from the Northeast and mid-Atlantic into the South Wednesday and Thursday. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are also possible with this low-pressure system.
The northern fringe of this system will also see some snow, sleet and freezing rain. See below for more details on the wintry precipitation.
(MORE: Weekly Planner)
Temperatures will once again be knocked down a few degrees, returning to levels closer to average for early March.

5. Wintry Conditions Return to Parts of the Northern Tier

An active weather pattern will bring some wintry precipitation to portions of the northern tier in the week ahead.
A separate disturbance Monday night into Tuesday may also bring a mix of rain, snow and sleet to areas of the central and northern Plains into the upper Mississippi Valley.

Tuesday's Forecast

Tuesday into Wednesday, an area of low pressure may bring a swath of snow, sleet and ice to parts of the upper Midwest. The best chance for snow will be in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, northern Wisconsin and northeastern Minnesota.
(MORE: Winter Storm Central)
A few snow showers are also possible in northern New England and portions of upstate New York Tuesday through Thursday, as this low-pressure system moves into southeastern Canada.
A fast-moving cold front, or clipper system, may also bring light snow to parts of the Midwest and Northeast late in the week.
MORE: Winter Storm Quid