Winter cold to return to eastern US to close out January

The weather across the eastern half of the United States has felt more like early spring recently, but more typical winter cold will return for the final days of January.

The storm that slammed California late this past weekend will mark the leading edge of a pattern change for the eastern half of the nation.

In the wake of the storm’s cold front, the door will open for more typical winter cold to plunge southward.

The cold will first sweep into the northern Plains on Tuesday, helping a disruptive snowstorm to unfold. The cold will continue to advance to the south and east, reaching the East Coast late in the week.

Temperatures will be slashed back to normal. When the cold settles in, highs will once again be held to the teens and 20s in the northern Plains and the lower 30s and upper 20s in the Great Lakes.

Highs in the 30s along the Northeast’s I-95 corridor and 50s over most of the South this coming weekend will be a noticeable change from the highs that should rise 10 to 20 degrees above normal at midweek.

A brisk wind will create even lower AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures at times.

A quick rebound in temperatures is not expected into the start of February.

“Going from a period of departures that were 10 degrees or more above normal to 5 degrees or more below normal in the beginning of February will be a real shock for many in the East,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey said.

The cold will be good for the ski industry as there can be opportunities for fresh snow and resorts will be able to make additional powder.

“The cold air flooding the East later this month into early February will mean lake-effect snow will once again pummel the usual areas near the lakes as well,” Duffey said.

After the snowstorm over the northern Plains early this week tracks into Great Lakes at midweek, a long-duration lake-effect snow event will commence downwind of the Great Lakes that will last through at least the upcoming weekend.

The intensity of the snow may not rival the fierce lake-effect events from earlier this winter. However, the duration of the snow could still yield a couple of feet or more of accumulation in the most persistent bands.

Some motorists will once again face disruptions and hazards due to snow-clogged roads and sudden drops in visibility. The most dangerous conditions will be where heavy snow squalls pass over major highways where motorists are cruise along at the speed limit.

AccuWeather meteorologists will closely monitor any storm that may attempt to add to the lake-effect snow and for any opportunities for snow to spread east of the Appalachian Mountains for the finale of the month and into the start of February.

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