After months of cold winter weather, a majority of the United States will finally be getting some sun as temperatures begin to rise.
Much of the East Coast dealt with severe weather last week, ranging from downpours to deadly tornadoes. This week, the Plains, Midwest and Northeast will have warm spells that could break historical averages for mid-April. Down South, meteorologists will be watching the Gulf of Mexico for what could be the first tropical storm ever recorded there in April.
Warmer temperatures are also in the future for parts of the West, but areas with an abundance of snow will be on flood watch and the Pacific Northwest will get more rain.
Here’s what to expect this week in the national weather forecast:
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AccuWeather meteorologist La Troy Thornton said “a massive dome of high pressure” will set up in the southeast and will be responsible for a significant warmup of the East Coast.
Temperatures will be hovering around the low-to-mid 70s for the central parts of the country Monday, while the East will be in the high 60s. By midweek, many places will have highs that are 10-20 degrees above historical averages.
Here’s what the high will be in some cities:
- New York City: 66 degrees
- Chicago: 69 degrees
- Los Angeles: 77 degrees
- Denver: 76 degrees
- Dallas: 75 degrees
- Nashville: 72 degrees
Tropical storm watch, rain in Florida
AccuWeather says a storm could form anywhere from near the coast of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys to the Louisiana coast later this week, as the Gulf of Mexico could have its first recorded tropical storm in April.
Storm or not, Florida will get showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday, the NWS said.
Snow melts lead to flood watch
Several states in the West will be under flood watch as a result of melting snow from warming temperatures. Places like Boise, Idaho, could have highs in the high 70s.
“This week’s quick warmup will cause the snowpack to melt rapidly, bringing a rapid rise in river levels,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Bill Deger.
“Now would be the time to clear snow, ice and debris from culverts and other flow paths to allow runoff to flow away from buildings and other vulnerable infrastructure,” the National Weather Service said.
Areas affected include:
- Northern and eastern Oregon
- Idaho
- Northern and central Nevada
- Western Wyoming
- Montana
“Now would be the time to clear snow, ice, and debris from culverts and other flow paths to allow runoff to flow away from buildings and other vulnerable infrastructure,” the National Weather Service said.
Rain, snow in the Pacific Northwest
Winter weather will remain in the Pacific Northwest, as a front moving onshore Sunday night will result in rain through late Monday afternoon.
“While a majority of the West will experience a trend towards drier conditions this upcoming week, that will not be the case across the Pacific Northwest,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.
Parts of Washington, Oregon and far Northern California will be affected.
US weather watches and warnings
National weather radar
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.
USA TODAY
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