Relief from brutal cold is in sight for northeastern US this week

After a brutally cold end to 2017 and start of 2018 in the northeastern United States, a milder weather pattern is on the way this week.

“There are signs of at least a temporary pattern change this week,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams said.

A storm pushing into California early in the week will send mild Pacific air across the contiguous U.S., cutting off the direct discharge of arctic air from Canada.

During the transition period from harsh cold to air more typical of January, a bit of snow and ice could create slippery travel in parts of the region on Monday.

As the wintry precipitation exits, the gates will be opened for milder air to expand toward the Atlantic Coast.

One or more days during the second half of the week could be the warmest in nearly a month from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic and New England.

During the first week of 2018, temperatures were 15 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit below normal from Indianapolis and Detroit to Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and Syracuse, New York.

Compared to the coldest days during the past week, temperatures will be around 20 to 30 degrees higher for most days and nights this week.

For example, New York City’s highs in the teens this weekend will be replaced with 40s F by late week. Syracuse will trade in single digits for 30s and perhaps even 40s.

The Southeastern states will also break out of their cold snap with 60s and 70s poised to make a comeback by late week.

The less brutal conditions will be a welcome relief for residents who have dealt with high heating bills, water main breaks, frozen pipes and car battery issues during the piercing cold spell.

Those eager to get outside for an extended period of time can do so without the heightened risk of frostbite.

Where the snowpack is deep, natural melting and freezing cycles could create slick spots on some roads and sidewalks late at night and in the early morning hours.

"A band of rain may also sweep through the Northeast at midweek ahead of the late-week warm surge," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said. "While the recent harsh cold will ease early this week, roads and sidewalks may still be cold enough for the rain to freeze and turn untreated surfaces icy."

Should an approaching storm draw in enough moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, the combination of soaking rainfall and melting snow may raise the risk of localized flooding issues to end this week.

How quickly the next wave of cold air arrives will be dependent on whether the late-week storm speedily exits the East Coast or lingers for a few days.

If the cold air catches up with the storm, snow or ice may develop on its northern and western flank.

Regardless, the next cold snap will not be nearly as harsh as the latest spell.

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