Weekly Highlights January 18th to 24th

As we move through the week, a persistent winter pattern will dominate much of the United States, bringing widespread cold, periodic snow, and several rounds of unsettled weather.

The coldest conditions will be felt across the Northern Plains and Great Lakes, where temperatures will struggle to rise out of the single digits during the day. Overnight lows will plunge below zero at times, and gusty winds will create dangerously cold wind chills. Residents in these areas should prepare for prolonged exposure to harsh winter conditions and take necessary cold-weather precautions. Another week but same theme with clipper and lake-effect snows in the Great Lakes and Northeast throughout the week, and our first of the week later Sunday. Accumulations for the week 1-4’’ with areas closer to the Great Lakes could see well over 4’’ +. Fast-moving systems will continue to reinforce cold air while producing intermittent snow, particularly downwind of the Great Lakes where lake-effect bands may enhance totals.

Snow in Eastern Colorado into Western Kansas Monday, with accumulations of a coating to 2’’. While totals will generally be light, even minor snowfall combined with cold temperatures could lead to slick travel conditions. Farther south, precipitation will be more mixed. Showers Wednesday into Thursday and Saturday in the Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. To the north we will see rain change over to snow and some possible mixed precipitation with these systems later in the week. This transition zone will need to be monitored closely, as even small changes in temperature could impact precipitation type and travel conditions.

Meanwhile, the western United States will stay quiet and dry until later in the week. Rain in the Pac NW Friday/Saturday with snow in the Northern Rockies. Mountain snowfall may become significant at higher elevations, while lower elevations experience steady rainfall.

By Matt K.

Forecaster