Weekly Highlights January 4th to 10th

This week’s weather pattern will remain active across much of the country, with several regions experiencing impactful conditions. Showers will continue across the Pacific Northwest and California, increasing the threat of localized flooding, especially in areas that have already seen heavy rainfall. At higher elevations, snow is expected in the Northern Rockies and the Sierra Nevadas, contributing to ongoing winter travel concerns in mountain passes. Across the central and eastern portions of the country, temperatures will trend milder for a time. The Plains, Midwest, and Northeast are expected to see above-freezing temperatures for a few days, providing a brief break from colder conditions. The warmest air will remain focused farther south. Despite the milder trend, winter weather will still make appearances as a clipper system moves through the Great Lakes into the Northeast from Sunday into Monday.

Another clipper will follow on Tuesday, tracking through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast. This system will begin with mixed precipitation before transitioning to snow over the Great Lakes. The Northeast is expected to see a mix of rain and snow, with snow mainly north and mixed precipitation to the south of the snow line. Weekly snowfall accumulations are generally forecast to range from a coating to around 4 inches, with higher totals of 4 inches or more possible in Northern Michigan and parts of the interior Northeast.

Looking toward the latter part of the week, the focus shifts to the potential for severe weather. Thunderstorms are expected to develop in the Plains on Thursday, move into the Midwest on Friday, and then impact the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys into the Mississippi Valley on Saturday. Behind this system, colder air may bring snow to Denver toward the end of the week, with additional snow possible across portions of the Plains on Friday. This active pattern underscores the need to stay weather aware as conditions evolve across multiple regions.

By Matt K.

Meteorologist In-Training