Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Flash floods kill 2 in New Jersey, strand subway riders in NYC Chevron right
Tropical rainstorm soaks Florida, could strengthen in Gulf before targeting Louisiana Chevron right

Columbus, OH

90°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

90°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars
Air Quality Alert

News / Weather Forecasts

October or December? Unusual warmth to near record territory in Plains, Midwest

Temperatures will surge as much as 25 degrees above the historical average late this week in part of the central United States, but AccuWeather forecasters warn that that a dramatic change is on the horizon.

By Elizabeth Danco, AccuWeather meteorologist

Published Dec 6, 2023 1:35 PM EDT | Updated Dec 7, 2023 4:37 PM EDT

Copied

Millions from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic coast face the threat of locally damaging storms from Friday through Sunday.

Temperatures are forecast to soar across much of the central and eastern United States through late week making it feel more like autumn rather than winter, but AccuWeather meteorologists say that people may still want to keep their winter coats within reach.

An area of high pressure combined with a northward bulge in the jet stream will usher in a warm spell from the northern Plains through the Midwest and eventually the Eastern Seaboard Thursday into Friday.

Across the northern Rockies and northern and central Plains, temperatures will surged 15-25 degrees above historical averages for early December on Wednesday. Cities including Bismarck, North Dakota, and Rapid City, South Dakota, reached the mid-60s which is more typical of late October.

The warmth mainly focused across the Plains and Midwest on Thursday. Temperatures across much of the region will soar to 10-20 degrees above historical averages into Friday.

Several locations, including Grand Forks, North Dakota; Omaha, Nebraska; and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, will come close to reaching record-breaking territory on Thursday. The temperature in Omaha, for example, is forecast to top out around the 60-degree mark on Thursday, which is a degree away from tying the daily record of 61 that was set back in 1918.

The warmup will be delayed, but not denied, in the East. The surge of warmth is expected to start on Friday and continue into the weekend in many East Coast states.

A narrow band of snow developed on the leading edge of the warm air from the eastern Great Lakes to parts of the central Appalachians and the upper mid-Atlantic coast from Wednesday night to Thursday. Several inches of snow fell on part of western New York with up to 3 inches or so in part of southeastern Pennsylvania. Snow fell and generally melted in Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York City.

Multiple cities along the I-95 corridor including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City will have temperatures peak on Sunday with highs in the 60s, which is around 15 degrees above the historical average.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

  •    Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+

Those hoping to enjoy the mild conditions outside this weekend across the East will need to be cautious of wet and windy weather on Sunday as a large storm tracking into the Midwest and Great Lakes this weekend will spread steady rain, severe thunderstorms for some and gusty winds.

The unseasonable warmth won't last for long across the central and eastern U.S. as a drastic change in temperatures is expected this weekend into early next week.

A southward dip in the jet stream will usher in colder air from Canada across the Plains and Midwest, causing temperatures to drop 15-20 degrees from what was observed Thursday and Friday. The dip in the jet stream will reach the East early next week, bringing temperatures back down near historical averages for December.

More to Read:

No shortage of Christmas trees this year, but they may be costly
The couple traveling around the US in an Airstream with a goat
Severe storms charging to the Atlantic coast

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

Weather News

Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

Jul. 15, 2025
Severe Weather

Flash flooding swamps Northeast metro areas as extreme rain threatens ...

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather Forecasts

Flood-weary Texas finally drying out, but near 100-degree heat looms

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 14, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

4 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

Flood-weary Texas finally drying out, but near 100-degree heat looms

47 minutes ago

Hurricane

Tropical Rainstorm to drench Florida, Gulf Coast

54 minutes ago

Weather News

Grand Canyon fires force closures

10 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

Flash flood dangers far from over as storms reload across US

1 hour ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Astronomy

Noctilucent clouds shimmer in summer sky

1 day ago

Recreation

Yellowstone’s landscape shifts again with discovery of new hot pool

1 day ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

4 days ago

Weather News

Giant shoes found spark mystery around the soldiers of ancient Rome

1 day ago

Weather News

It’s not just humans – chimpanzees also like to follow trends

1 day ago

AccuWeather Weather Forecasts October or December? Unusual warmth to near record territory in Plains, Midwest
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...