The mid to upper level flow across the lower 48 is expected to remain highly amplified over the next few days, characterized by an amplified upper trof over the east and an upper ridge over the western to central U.S.
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This will result in big temperature contrast from the Western U.S., where temperatures are expected to be much above average, to the northeastern U.S. where temperatures are expected to be much below average.
Inside both of the much above and much below average temperatures areas, there is the potential for record highs and lows.
Record high temperatures are possible Sunday and Monday from the Southwest into the Rockies and portions of Texas.
Record low maximum temperatures are possible Sunday and Monday from the Great Lakes into the Northeast.
The much below average temperatures across the Great Lakes and into the Northeast will also be supporting active lake effect snows downwind of the Great Lakes.
This will produce locally heavy early spring snows in the lee of all of Great Lakes and into the upslope regions of the Central Appalachians and portions of northern New England.
The upcoming weather pattern will be dry across large sections of the nation.
This dry weather, along with low relative humidities and windy conditions will be conducive to an elevated fire weather threat over the next two days across much of the Southeast, portions of south central Florida, much of central Texas and portions of east central Colorado.
A developing storm system off the California coast will spread much needed precipitation in large portions of California Sunday night, continuing through the day on Monday.
Much of California is mired in severe to extreme drought conditions with precipitation much below average over the past several months.
This system, however, does not appear to be a harbinger of a change in the recent dry weather pattern with conditions looking dry in the wake of this system for the remainder of the week. ■
Modified arctic air combined with a moisture-laden area of low pressure along the Gulf Coast will continue to allow for a broad area of winter weather impacts from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Southeast today into early Saturday morning.