Record warmth to expand across central, eastern US this week
"For many areas in the mid-Atlantic, this will be the most sustained stretch of warmer weather since a string of abnormally warm days in early January," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
Ice jams can be a fascinating sight, but they’re powerful, unpredictable and capable of causing major damage in minutes.
Relief is finally in sight for millions who have shivered for many weeks this winter from the Plains to the mid-Atlantic, as a major warmup pushes temperatures toward record levels in some areas. But the pattern flip won’t come without potential hazards, AccuWeather forecasters caution.
"For many areas in the mid-Atlantic, this will be the most sustained stretch of warmer weather since a string of abnormally warm days in early January," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
Warmth to build in Plains first, enhancing fire danger
Springlike air expanded to the north and east across the middle of the country early this week.
Widespread highs in the 60s and 70s occurred across the Plains states Monday. On Tuesday, temperatures surged well into the 70s and the 80s from western and central Texas to southern Nebraska.
Dozens of record highs are likely to be tied or broken during the early spring preview.
As the warmth builds, dry, gusty winds will sweep across the Plains, increasing the risk of wildfire ignition and rapid spread. The greatest danger will target areas that were mostly missed by rainfall Saturday, including parts of the Texas Panhandle to Kansas.
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Farther north, there will be a dividing line separating the building warmth to the south and lingering chill across the northern tier. Areas of snow, ice and rain could traverse this boundary by the middle of the week. This sharp variation in temperatures may be just north of Chicago, where several days with highs in the 60s are expected this week.
"Snow and ice will be confined to the northern Plains, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and the interior Northeast. South of this area, temperatures will be well above historical averages with less precipitation," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok said.
60-degree temperatures to reach Pittsburgh, DC by midweek
Temperatures are poised to trend upward across the mid-Atlantic and Southeast, following a weekend storm that brought a strip of snow to parts of the Northeast and soaking rain and localized severe weather to the Southeast.
"The surge of warmer air will bring temperatures as high as near 60 to places like Pittsburgh by midweek. If Pittsburgh indeed reaches 60, it will be the warmest day since Jan. 9, when the high hit 66," Pydynowski said. The high on Tuesday was just one degree away from hitting 60. "Washington, D.C., could flirt with the 60-degree mark on Wednesday."
The core of the warmth will settle over the Southeast states by Friday.
The push of warm air will face resistance farther to the north.
"The warmup will be blunted by a chilly air mass that will be stubborn and hanging tough across New England. While cities such as D.C. bask in a warmer week ahead, Boston will struggle to near the 40-degree mark as the warm air meets resistance," Pydynowski said.
The fluctuating temperatures could increase the risk of ice jams and ice-jam flooding along many of the secondary rivers in the Midwest and Northeast.
In the Southeast, many days with highs in the 70s to lower 80s will occur, with records likely to be challenged by late in the week.
During the weekend, the jet stream will slip southward in the eastern part of the nation. This may allow a sneaky storm to bring snow or a wintry mix to the Northeast.
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