Spring takes hold for much of the country

Welcome to spring! Latest forecast guidance continues to suggest that any sustained periods of lingering, winterlike cold will likely be confined to northwestern Canada and Alaska over the next few weeks as Pacific air overwhelms the remainder of North America.

The average jet stream position during the first two weeks of April will likely be a dip south along the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia before it turns more northward toward northeastern Canada. This will keep cooler and somewhat wetter conditions along the west coast of Canada, while mild conditions will clearly overshadow any brief spells of chilly weather across the central and eastern portions of southern Canada and the U.S.