Regional Forecasts

The Week Begins Milder in the East, But Don't Get Used to It

Cascade Snow To Be Measured In Feet

Meteorological winter began on a mild note from the southern Plains to the Midwest and East in sharp contrast to the cold blast in these areas over the Thanksgiving weekend.

But this break from the prolonged chilly conditions is coming to an end. Colder-than-average temperatures are returning this week.

These temperature changes are due to shifts in the jet stream.

An upper-level ridge of high pressure, or a northward bulge in the jet stream, developed over the central and eastern U.S. last week, allowing warmer-than-average temperatures to surge northward.

Above-average temperatures will linger in the East Monday. Highs in the 50s will reach northward into southern New England. Temperatures will warm into the 60s in the Southeast, with a few places other than Florida nearing 70 degrees.

The warmer-than-average air will be extinguished by Tuesday, however. Highs will be between 5 to 15 degrees below average for almost everyone in the Lower 48 beginning Tuesday, continuing into the weekend, with only small pockets of near-average air at times.

Following Sunday's highs in the 50s and 60s in the lower Great Lakes and central Appalachians, temperatures will only manage the 30s and 40s for much of the week ahead.