Cold to pull back in eastern US during week two, three of February
Frigid days in the eastern half of the nation are nearing an end, but while it may feel much warmer, the pattern may not signal an end to snow and ice concerns.
AccuWeather’s Anna Azallion is back to tell you whether these myths about winter weather are true or false.
Changes are in the works for much of the United States over the next couple of weeks, as frigid air in eastern North America will retreat to near the Arctic Circle.
Coming in to take its place will be much less cold Pacific air, but there will be some potential problems with that more moist air.
The last blast of Arctic air in the long train of cold waves cycled through the Northeast Monday. However, after that, warmer air already building in the West and High Plains will move east.
Because of the extent of the snow cover, frozen lakes and rivers, cold ground and a lack of strong winds accompanying the Pacific air, it will be a gradual process.
During the middle and latter parts of the week, some days will bring temperatures near or slightly above freezing with the February sun to help. The buildup of ice on area rivers, lakes and bays will stop. However, the reversal may take many more days.
As the snow cover thins and retreats, temperatures will be more apt to respond, reaching well into the 30s, 40s and even near 50 degrees Fahrenheit, barring any setbacks from storms in the Midwest and Northeast. Even where temperatures recover to the 30s and low 40s, it will feel substantially warmer after highs in the single digits, teens and 20s.
In Southern states, some of the warm air that has been building over the southern part of the Plains will be carried to the Atlantic Coast with highs rebounding into the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Temperatures reached their highest levels since Jan. 13 in Chicago Tuesday, with a high in the upper 40s. Temperatures in Atlanta hit 70 degrees for the first time since Jan. 10.
Tagging along with the Pacific air will be some storms, of which the details on the nature and timing of the precipitation they bring will unfold in the coming days. Following weeks of severe cold, as much of the Northeast and Midwest have been experiencing, a pattern change almost always leads to storms packing wintry precipitation.
Even though temperatures may be significantly higher than recent weeks, they may still be low enough to support snow, sleet or freezing rain from the Midwest to the Northeast. Another factor will be the potential for areas of fog, which can slow travel without any major storm.
Motorists and pedestrians should be wary in the event of any storms with snow or ice, as runoff generated by February sunshine during the day can freeze at night.
During the period from Feb. 17-20, much of the eastern half of the U.S. may experience its warmest conditions in weeks.
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