Winter's harsh cold may not return to eastern, central US until early February

While winter's deep freeze is taking a break across the United States, there is a chance the brutally cold conditions experienced during early January may return in the weeks ahead.

The air that arrived in the Midwest on Monday and spread into the East on Tuesday and Wednesday was not abnormally cold and not of arctic origin. While chilly, this air originated from the Pacific Ocean and southern Canada.

During late January, the average high is 24 F in Minneapolis, 32 F in Chicago, 36 F in Pittsburgh, 38 F in New York City, 43 F in Washington, D.C., and 35 F in Boston.

In parts of the Midwest, the retreat of the chilly air was accompanied by areas of drizzle and freezing drizzle on Wednesday.

Another warmup will follow on Thursday over the Central states and this weekend in the East with temperatures likely to climb into the 40s and 50s across the north and the 60s and 70s across the south.

However, the warmup in the East is likely to be accompanied by rain on one or more days.

"Another cycle of back-and-forth cold and warm conditions is likely to follow during the last couple of days of January and the first couple of days of February," according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

Overall, temperature swings will be less dramatic in the South, as compared to the north. Most days across the southern third of the nation will bring near- to above-average temperatures.

Much of the lower 48 states should get a break from the harsh cold for the next seven to 10 days.

The nation may not be done with lasting, harsh cold, however.

"There are signs that the first major discharge of arctic air may develop in less than two weeks," Pastelok said. "It could be a double shot with the second one perhaps being the most severe."

At this time, it appears that the next major thrust of cold air may first enter the Northwest or the Central states and progress eastward into the middle of February.

Storms with snow may precede and accompany the next major wave of cold air over the Midwest and interior Northeast.

It is possible one of these storms may affect Minnesota and the Minneapolis area during or close to Super Bowl weekend. Even though the game will be played indoors, travel to and from Minneapolis may be affected.

The details as to exactly how extensive and lasting the cold air becomes and the track of the storms may not be revealed for another week or more.

AccuWeather will continue to provide updates on the long-range outlook for February in the U.S.

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