After an extended period of record-breaking warmth across the central and eastern United States, high pressure will usher in colder air into the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions tonight. Low temperatures are forecast to range from the lower 20s to the lower 30s at several locations.
A storm system in the northern Rockies is causing strong winds in the High Plains today. The air is very dry, and temperatures are again unseasonably warm. This combination is making fire weather conditions extremely critical.
The string of days with unprecedented warmth is coming to an end for many locations in the Great Lakes and Northeast as a cold front ushers in more seasonable temperatures. The Plains and Lower Ohio Valley will remain warm through the middle of next week. The record warmth has accelerated the onset of the growing season by more than a month, and this makes crops vulnerable to a hard freeze.
Over the next few days, there will be an increased chance for severe weather in the central U.S.
NOAA has issued its annual Spring Flood Outlook, along with seasonal outlooks for temperature precipitation and drought. For the first time in four years, no area of the country faces a high risk of major to record spring flooding, largely due to the limited winter snowfall.
The next in a series of strong late winter storms will continue to move into the Pacific Northwest today.
A slow-moving disturbance will migrate eastward and bring winter weather to the northern tier of Maine. The latest indications suggest 3 to 6 inches of total snow, with locally higher amounts, in combination with sleet and freezing drizzle are likely through Wednesday morning.
Temperatures in portions of the northern and central Great Plains will be 5 to 15 degrees above average Saturday. The spring-like weather will take a brief break on Sunday as an upper-level disturbance moves over the area, bringing showers and cooler temperatures. However, the sun and warmth will quickly rebound as the work week begins.
The NWS Space Weather Prediction Center is monitoring several ongoing space weather events that could have impacts here on Earth. In addition to a recent coronal mass ejection that erupted yesterday evening and is expected to cause geomagnetic storming, a solar radiation storm is in progress. Levels are currently at S2 (Moderate), but are still on the rise at this time.
High Wind Watches and Warnings are in effect for parts for the Southwest, where gusts up to 55 mph are expected. Gusts up to 40 mph are expected across the central and southern Plains, where critical fire weather conditions exist.
