Weather

A wet & active pattern ahead for much of the Heartland

An intensifying storm system east of the Carolinas will remain offshore during Friday but will contribute to rain and snow showers and gusty winds in the Northeast. In the storm’s wake, a brief period of cool, dry weather will affect the South, East, and lower Midwest.

Meanwhile, record-setting warmth will expand across the West and reach the northern and central Plains and upper Midwest during the weekend. Subsequently, markedly cooler air will engulf the West, while warm weather will encompass the central and eastern U.S.

During the next 5 days, most areas of the country will receive some precipitation, but amounts will be generally light. Higher totals (1 to 2 inches or more) may affect southern California and parts of the Southwest, as well as the middle Mississippi Valley.

The bulk of the precipitation will fall early next week, when a fast-moving storm crosses the Midwest and a second storm arrives in the Southwest.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures and precipitation across most of the country.

Cooler- and drier-than-normal weather will be mostly confined to the Pacific Northwest, although dry conditions may also extend into parts of northern California.