Arctic air to remain at bay in northeastern US through much of the week

The milder pattern that has taken hold of the northeastern United States will remain in place for much of the week.

While warmth will be concentrated on the mid-Atlantic region and major Interstate-95 cities, even areas where cold air is typically harder to scour out, such as upstate New York and New England, can expect multiple days of above-normal temperatures.

Arctic air will remain pent up in central Canada for much of the week, according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams.

“As long as that’s the case, no really cold air is going to be coming into the Northeast in the foreseeable future,” Abrams said.

The chilliest days this week will pale in comparison to the harsh cold that residents of the Northeast braved on multiple occasions so far this winter.

After a mild but wet weekend from the Gulf Coast to New England, temperatures will be trimmed within a few degrees of normal for the first part of the new week.

Across the interior, high temperatures will take a slight dip from the 40s F on Sunday to the 30s through Tuesday. Sunday’s highs in the 50s and 60s in the upper part of the mid-Atlantic will be trimmed to the 40s.

Milder conditions will then return in full force by midweek, reaching levels similar to or slightly above this weekend’s mild spell.

High temperatures will range from the 40s to the 50s and 60s from north to south. It is not out of the question for a few of the bigger cities east of the Appalachians to hit the 70-degree mark on Thursday.

The stretch of mild weather may help to get heating budgets back on track and allow property owners to fully clear away pesky snow and ice from parking lots, sidewalks and driveways.

Those heading out this Wednesday for Valentine's Day can leave thick winter coats at home.

The warmup may be accompanied by damp conditions, including areas of fog, drizzle and showers. A bit of freezing drizzle is possible across the central Appalachians as the milder air invades on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

A late-week storm may finally set a change in motion with another wave of cold air expected to plunge southward, according to Abrams.

Through the remainder of the month, cold and warm waves are not expected to have much staying power in the Northeast.

“Look for more up-and-down temperature swings,” AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Max Vido said.

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