Sunday Briefing: Warmer east, snow in Plains, changes continue

Good afternoon, everyone! Much-awaited warm air has finally moved into the Eastern United States, on the heels of a prolonged period of cold. Temperatures today are running well above normal across a widespread area. Meanwhile, a deep trough and associated disturbance moving through the Rockies will eject northward into the Plains States later tonight into Monday, leading to the potential for a significant snowstorm in the Northern Plains.

The National Weather Service in Minneapolis, MN is forecasting a significant snowfall – but the gradient in snowfall totals is expected to be quite sharp. Snowfall totals could be very high underneath areas where impressive banding occurs, but could be much lower outside of those heavy snow bands. A very tough forecast! We explain a bit in our video below. Meanwhile, warm air will surge into the Eastern United States on Monday ahead of the system.

Tuesday will be another very warm day compared to normal in the East, but the disturbance will shift closer, and increasing moisture and lift in the atmosphere will bring cloudiness and rain, which may be heavy at times as a cold front approaches. The front is expected to shift through the Northeast on Tuesday morning and afternoon. There may even be some embedded thunder as the front makes its way through!

Finally, after a day or two of cooler air on Wednesday and Thursday, we look ahead to another bout of widespread warmth next weekend. The GFS and ECMWF ensembles are indicating a heightened probability of much above normal temperatures in the Northeast states during this time frame. I think we can all say we are looking forward to that! More to come in the next few days. Enjoy your Sunday!