Meteorological spring is approaching, and forecasters are anticipating a major pattern change that will bring warmer temperatures to most of the US in the coming week. The country has been experiencing bitter cold due to frigid arctic air, with temperatures dropping near-freezing levels in Florida and the Gulf Coast. Winter storms have also brought snow to unusual places, such as Virginia Beach and the Gulf Coast, where a Blizzard Warning was issued for the first time. However, a welcome temperature change has begun in the West as milder air from the North Pacific Ocean replaces the arctic air.
Above-average temperatures have developed across the central US with many locations west of the Mississippi River experiencing temperatures 10-20 degrees higher than average. This is a stark contrast to the previous week when high temperatures were 30-50 degrees below average. Cities like Bismarck and Minneapolis have experienced significant temperature swings. For example, Bismarck saw a low of 39 degrees below zero but is expected to reach around 47 degrees on Monday, while Minneapolis went from 15 degrees below zero to a forecasted high of 48 degrees in just a week.
The FOX Forecast Center predicts that temperatures will rise back into the 70s in the southern Plains and Southeast, with the central Plains and mid-South reaching the 60s. The northern Plains, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, interior Northeast, and New England are expected to see temperatures in the 40s to near 50 degrees. Along the Interstate 95 corridor in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, comfortable temperatures in the 50s and lower 60s are expected for most of the week.
The warmer temperatures are a welcome change from the recent cold snap that has affected much of the US. For many areas, this shift marks a notable increase in temperatures, with some locations experiencing temperature differences of over 60 degrees in less than a week. The influence of milder air from the North Pacific Ocean has helped to bring relief from the frigid temperatures and create more comfortable conditions for residents in various parts of the country.
With spring approaching, the pattern change in temperatures is a positive sign for many Americans who are eager for warmer weather. The transition from below-average temperatures to above-average temperatures is a stark contrast that is being felt across different regions of the US. As temperatures warm up, residents can look forward to more comfortable conditions and the arrival of springtime weather in the coming weeks. While the recent cold weather brought snow to unexpected places, the shift towards warmer temperatures is a promising development as the country prepares for the change of season.
