By Emma Barhydt
Beginning on Friday January 17th, we will be seeing a small ridge of warm air traveling across the United States which will give way to bitterly cold temps beginning in the evening on January 19th. This coming week, we are going to see some of the coldest air all season for many across the United States.
Northeast: Saturday and Sunday, January 18 and 19 will see temperatures that are slightly warmer than average for the region before quickly dropping in the evening on Sunday, leading to deep freeze temps through the rest of the week following the national trend of incredibly cold temps. An Alberta clipper passing through the great lakes region January 18 will bring some lake effect snow to New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Northern Maine. Saturday will also see some moisture coming up from the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in rain for the southern portion of the Northeast.
Southeast: Saturday and Sunday, January 18 and 19 will see temperatures that are slightly warmer than average for the region. East of Houston through western Georgia and Florida may even see temps of 10 degrees above average. Saturday will also see some moisture for the area, likely resulting in some Thunderstorms in Louisiana and Mississippi before moving west and dropping heavy rain over much of the Southeast. Some of the incredibly cold temps will be moving towards the Southeast as early as Sunday evening. The coldest air will begin to touch the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas beginning Monday, this arctic air will move into the southern region of Texas by the end of the day on Tuesday. Midweek will see snow and a wintery mix from Texas through the Carolinas. Temps will rise midweek but continue to be extremely cold through the end of the week.
Midwest: Saturday, January 18 will see temperatures that are slightly warmer than average for the region and a small Alberta clipper move through the area. These temps will move through quickly, touching the Ohio River Valley region Saturday and Sunday January 19 before giving way to the trough of arctic air moving through. Montana, Minnesota, and the Dakotas will begin to feel the effects of the arctic blast beginning on Saturday with temps likely as low as -20 degrees. The coldest air will set up in the midwest on Monday. Temps will rise midweek to average temps for the region.
Southwest: The Southwest will see below average temperatures beginning on Sunday, January 19. The region will not be experiencing significant wind or precipitation events during this time.
Northwest: The Northwest will see temperatures significantly below average beginning on Saturday, January 18. Temps will begin to return to normal by the end of the day on Tuesday, January 21. The region will not be experiencing significant wind or precipitation events during this time.
West Coast: Most of the West Coast will see temperatures slightly below average beginning on Saturday, January 18 excluding western Nevada and much of California. Over the course of the weekend and through this coming week, we are starting to see the major wind storms die down that have been afflicting much of California. Eastern Colorado is forecasted to see some of the lowest temps of its entire season during this cold snap. Alaska, however, will be seeing temps significantly above average at this time.
