Much of the country will remain dry over the next couple of days as broad upper-level ridging shifts from the western to central part of the country.
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One exception will be with a clipper-like system dropping southeastward from the Midwest into the Southeast.
Light to moderate rain/snow showers will spread from the Great Lakes Monday evening into the Ohio Valley and Appalachians during the day Tuesday.
Little to no snow accumulations are anticipated outside of higher elevations of the central/southern Appalachians, where a couple inches or so will be possible.
Shower chances will increase for the Carolinas Wednesday, with the potential that coastal areas may see some locally heavier showers enhanced by a coastal low developing in the Atlantic.
The broad upper-level ridging will also keep temperatures well above late January averages by 10-20+ degrees for most of the country Tuesday and Wednesday.
The greatest anomalies are in the Northern/Central Plains and Upper Midwest where highs in the upper 40s to mid-60s are as much as 20-30 degrees above average.
A few daily records could be tied or broken.
Highs along the West Coast through the Desert Southwest and into the Southern Plains will be in the 60s and 70s, with 50s and 60s for much of the Intermountain West.
Temperatures will be closer to or a bit below average for the Southeast and northward along the East Coast as conditions are slower to moderate following a cold front passage.
Forecast highs range from the 20s and 30s in New England, 30s and 40s for the Mid-Atlantic, and 50s and 60s in the Southeast and Florida.
Some light to moderate showers are forecast for portions of the coastal Pacific Northwest through Tuesday as a series of Pacific waves pass by the region.
Attention will then turn to an Atmospheric River expected to begin bringing impacts to the West Coast as early as Tuesday evening, and ramping up through the day Wednesday.
A combination of strong dynamic forcing as well as a deep, anomalously high stream of moisture moving into southwestern Oregon and northern California will lead to very heavy rainfall, with totals of several inches possible.
The warm air will keep snow levels high at first, allowing for heavy rainfall along upslope portions of the coastal ranges and Sierra Nevada.
A Slight Risk of Excessive Rainfall (level 2/4) remains in effect for the threat of some flooding.
Heavy snowfall, with totals measuring into multiple feet, is expected for higher elevations (generally above 5000-6000 feet) of the Klamath Mountains and Sierra Nevada where precipitation will begin and remain as snow through the event.
Strong, gusty winds up to 65 mph are also expected for portions of southwestern Oregon and northern California beginning late Tuesday night. ■