Brief warmup will collapse to winterlike chill in Midwest

Despite a slight warming trend in the coming days, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that another wave of cold conditions are on the way.

After a cool start to the weekend, temperatures may rebound slightly in the coming days. However, AccuWeather meteorologists caution that another widespread cooldown is on the way for the Plains and Midwest.

Not long after the official start of fall, temperatures have quickly adjusted downward across much of the Midwest and northern Plains. While these temperatures have been far from what the core of winter will eventually bring, it has been a noticeable change for millions and was even enough to bring the season's first snowfall to a few locations.

Early on Saturday morning, chilly air was already in place across much of the Midwest and northern Plains with the lowest temperatures so far this season. Cities such as Grand Rapids, Michigan (low of 31), and Sioux Falls, South Dakota (low of 30), had reached below the freezing mark overnight, with both locations recording their coldest nights of the fall so far.

Farther north, the cooldown felt even more like winter in some areas.

In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a combination of lower temperatures and moisture from Lake Superior combined to produce lake-effect precipitation, which fell as snow for several hours in locations such as Marquette and Houghton, Michigan. While temperatures were just far enough above freezing to avoid any accumulation, it was a massive change from the weather conditions around a month prior, when temperatures surged to 90 degrees Fahrenheit on the peninsula.

Over the next couple of days, temperatures are expected to edge back up slightly, thanks to a sprawling area of high pressure over the eastern half of the country.

Into Monday, the warmth will be the most pronounced. Cities such as Detroit and Milwaukee are likely to reach the 60s on Monday, with highs in the 70s more likely along the heavily traveled Interstate-80 corridor.

Farther south still, temperatures may feel more like August than October, with highs near or over 80 degrees in Omaha, Nebraska, and St. Louis among many other locations.

By midweek, however, a major change will get underway.

"As a fast-moving cold front swings through, the warm air mass will be replaced by one originating from the polar regions of Canada," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva said, noting that temperatures could quickly crash by 20 degrees or more in some areas.

This change will first be noticed on Wednesday in North Dakota, and portions of Minnesota. Temperatures in the 50s are expected in these areas, compared to the 70s a day prior.

By late week, temperatures may fall even further. The majority of the Midwest is expected to remain in the 50s for high temperatures, with the northernmost portions of the Great Lakes struggling to leave the 40s. Overnight lows will be plenty chilly as well, with cities such as Minneapolis and Chicago potentially having the mercury dip below freezing. Farther north in the typically colder spots, lows in the 20s are more likely.

Much like the last cold front to swing through the area, temperatures aren't likely to be cold enough for a large area to see any snowflakes as opposed to just rain. However, in some northern areas, wintry weather will be possible.

"Along the Canadian border in North Dakota, and Minnesota, a few snow showers appear possible on the northern side of this storm system. Additionally, lake-effect rain could briefly turn to snow in portions of northern Michigan," DaSilva said. In most of these areas, the ground temperatures remain too warm for much snow to accumulate, however a light slushy coating may not be able to be ruled out if it falls overnight.

Unlike the first wave of cold air, there are signs that this one will be here to stay for some time, with chilly conditions possibly lasting into next weekend.

The persistent dry weather across the area is likely to worsen drought conditions across the Plains and into the Great Lakes. Much of North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska, are abnormally dry or are in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. A few areas, like near Sioux City Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to near the Twin Cities in Minnesota, are even in severe or extreme drought. Abnormally dry conditions, albeit spottier in nature, extend into portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois, as well.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.

Report a Typo