Heavy rain is predicted for western parts of Washington, with snow in the higher elevations, January 30-31.

Moderate flooding is likely in the vicinity of the Guadalupe River near Bloomington in southeastern Texas, January 30-31.

Severe drought for parts of the central and southern Great Plains, Desert Southwest, the central Sierra Nevadas, the Southeast, the western Corn Belt and northeast Minnesota.

Weather Hazard Outlook Map

Weather Hazard 3- 7 Day Outlook Map

Weather Hazard 8 – 14 Day Outlook Map

Generally above-normal temperatures weather will accompany the tranquil weather.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook for calls for warmer-than-normal weather nationwide, except for near-normal temperatures across Florida’s peninsula. Meanwhile, drier-than-normal conditions across the majority of the U.S. will contrast with near- to above-normal precipitation from the Great Lakes region into New England.

Elsewhere, periods of rain and snow will continue in the Northwest, but mostly dry weather will prevail from California into the Southwest, and from the northern and central Plains into the upper Midwest.

Sharply colder weather will surge into the Midwest and Northeast over the weekend.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for calls for above-normal temperatures over much of the contiguous U.S., with cooler-than-normal conditions confined to southern Florida. Drier-than-normal weather is expected from the central and southern Rockies into California and from the southern Delta to the southern Atlantic Coast. Meanwhile, above-normal precipitation is anticipated from the central Corn Belt into the Great Lakes region.

Farther west, many of California’s agricultural valleys will experience another significant freeze on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, an increasingly wet weather pattern will develop from the Pacific Northwest to the northern Rockies. Toward week’s end, much-needed precipitation will spread southward into northern California. Five-day precipitation totals could reach 8 to 12 inches in parts of the Pacific Northwest, and 2 to 4 inches in the northern Rockies.

Elsewhere, precipitation will gradually end across the eastern one-third of the U.S., but showers may return to the Southeast toward week’s end.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for warmer-than-normal weather nationwide, except for near- to below-normal temperatures in the Northwest. Meanwhile, wetter-than-normal conditions across the northern half of the U.S. will contrast with below-normal precipitation across the nation’s southern tier.

During the next 5 days, most areas from California to the Plains will remain dry. Elsewhere, precipitation will overspread the Northwest early next week, while a developing storm will produce rain in the East and some snow in the Midwest.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for near- to above-normal temperatures nationwide, except for colder-than-normal weather from Washington to the upper Great Lakes region. Meanwhile, above-normal precipitation across much of the northern-half of the U.S. will contrast with drier-than-normal conditions across the central and southern Plains and the Southwest.

Meanwhile, midwinter warmth will gradually expand eastward from the western and central U.S. However, before warm weather arrives, freezes can be expected on Wednesday from the central Gulf Coast region into parts of Florida’s peninsula.

Late in the week, some light precipitation will develop across the Southeast.

Elsewhere, a period of heavy precipitation in the Pacific Northwest will end by Thursday.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for near- to above-normal temperatures nationwide, except for cooler-than-normal conditions across Florida’s peninsula. Meanwhile, near- to above-normal precipitation across the majority of the U.S. will contrast with drier-than-normal weather in southern Florida and from southern California to the central and southern High Plains.

Mostly dry weather will prevail across the remainder of the nation into the New Year, with temperatures remaining above normal in much of the western and central U.S.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for above-normal temperatures across the western two-thirds of the U.S., while colder-than-normal weather will prevail in the East. Meanwhile, drier-than-normal conditions across the southern two-thirds of the nation will contrast with near- to above-normal precipitation across the nation’s northern tier. Wetter-than-normal weather will be limited to the Northwest.

During the Holiday Weekend, additional precipitation may fall in parts of the South and East, with some snow possible on the storm’s western fringe. Weekend precipitation will also develop in the Pacific Northwest.

Elsewhere, cold air will settle across the southwestern and south-central U.S. during the next several days, while mostly dry weather will persist in California, the Great Basin, and the western Corn Belt.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for near- to above-normal temperatures nationwide, except for cooler-than-normal conditions in the lower Southeast and parts of the Southwest. Meanwhile, near- to below-normal precipitation across the majority of the U.S. will contrast with wetter-than-normal weather in the Pacific Northwest and the southern Atlantic region.

For south-central and southeast Wisconsin, this may bring increased chances for below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation (and snowfall). However, the correlation between La Nina and winter temperatures and precipitation in south central and southeast Wisconsin is not as robust as it is with El Nino.

The latest long range temperature forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center suggest equal chances for above, near and below normal temperatures for south central and southeast Wisconsin for meteorological winter (December 2011, January and February 2012).

The latest long range precipitation forecast from the Climate Prediction Center suggest increased chances for above normal precipitation for southeast and parts of south central Wisconsin for meteorological winter, with equal chances for above, near and below normal precipitation elsewhere across the area.

Temperature Outlook
Precipitation Outlook

By Wednesday, rain will spread across the central Plains and into the middle Mississippi Valley, with 1- to 2-inch totals possible in the latter region.

On Thursday and Friday, showers will shift into the Southeast.

Meanwhile, a stronger push of cold air will arrive across the West late in the week, accompanied by widespread rain and snow showers. During the weekend, rain and snow will reach the northern Plains and upper Midwest.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for above-normal temperatures across the eastern half of the U.S., while colder-than-normal weather will prevail in the West. Meanwhile, near- to above-normal precipitation across the majority of the U.S. will contrast with drier-than-normal conditions in the East and from southern and eastern Arizona into the Rio Grande Valley.