February-like temperatures to grip central US as Arctic air lunges southward into next week
By
Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Apr 11, 2020 3:03 PM EST
Snow covered the town of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, on April 10, leading to dazzling scenery that didn't seem to match the date.
Winter took revenge on the nation's midsection early this week as temperatures plunged up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit below normal.
The cold surge was unleashed following a powerhouse snowstorm that swept across the Rockies, Plains and Midwest into Monday.
Temperatures were already in freefall over the northern Rockies at the beginning of last weekend. In Great Falls, Montana, the temperature dropped to 25 F Saturday morning after a balmy high of 64 on Friday.
Similar temperature plunges occurred farther south and east as the bitterly cold air expanded its grip.
Bitter cold sunk into Oklahoma City on Monday as the area struggled to reach into the middle 40s. The cold reality of Monday's temperatures quickly erased any warm memories of highs in the low 70s on Easter Sunday.
Around the middle of April in the Central states, normal highs range from the 50s across the north to the 60s and 70s farther south. Instead, highs will generally be in the 30s, 40s and 50s from north to south early this week, which are levels more typical of February.
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"Heating demands are going to increase as this Arctic air blast surges in across the Plains and then expands across the Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley this week," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said. This can add further stress on finances for millions of Americans.
Gusty winds added to the winterlike feel of the air on Monday, as AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures dipped well below the freezing mark (32 F).
On Monday morning, the temperature dropped to 15 F at the Denver International Airport, setting a new record for the day. Winds just under 15 mph cause the RealFeel® to drop to 4 degrees below zero.
Monday night, temperatures dipped to record-low levels in many cities.
For example, only two hours into Tuesday, Rochester, Minnesota, tied their record low temperature of 18, with several more hours available to trend downward.
"Frost will reach the central Plains and northern part of the southern Plains into the Upper Midwest," Roys said. "This will be impactful for the winter wheat across the central Plains because when the temperature gets below 28, then damage to the crop can happen."
Residents should ensure other sensitive vegetation that has begun to bud is properly protected from the cold.
The cold is likely to discourage many who may be experiencing cabin fever from venturing outdoors. Those who do brave the chill are encouraged to bundle up appropriately and follow all social distancing guidelines from health and government officials.
AccuWeather meteorologists stress that the cold will not be quick to leave across the North Central states, with the chill likely sticking around for much of the week. Through the middle of the week, colder air will spread east into the northeastern U.S.
Farther south, the air will slowly moderate during the middle and latter part of the week.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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News / Winter Weather
February-like temperatures to grip central US as Arctic air lunges southward into next week
By Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Apr 11, 2020 3:03 PM EST
Snow covered the town of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, on April 10, leading to dazzling scenery that didn't seem to match the date.
Winter took revenge on the nation's midsection early this week as temperatures plunged up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit below normal.
The cold surge was unleashed following a powerhouse snowstorm that swept across the Rockies, Plains and Midwest into Monday.
Temperatures were already in freefall over the northern Rockies at the beginning of last weekend. In Great Falls, Montana, the temperature dropped to 25 F Saturday morning after a balmy high of 64 on Friday.
Similar temperature plunges occurred farther south and east as the bitterly cold air expanded its grip.
Bitter cold sunk into Oklahoma City on Monday as the area struggled to reach into the middle 40s. The cold reality of Monday's temperatures quickly erased any warm memories of highs in the low 70s on Easter Sunday.
Around the middle of April in the Central states, normal highs range from the 50s across the north to the 60s and 70s farther south. Instead, highs will generally be in the 30s, 40s and 50s from north to south early this week, which are levels more typical of February.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
"Heating demands are going to increase as this Arctic air blast surges in across the Plains and then expands across the Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley this week," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said. This can add further stress on finances for millions of Americans.
Gusty winds added to the winterlike feel of the air on Monday, as AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures dipped well below the freezing mark (32 F).
On Monday morning, the temperature dropped to 15 F at the Denver International Airport, setting a new record for the day. Winds just under 15 mph cause the RealFeel® to drop to 4 degrees below zero.
Monday night, temperatures dipped to record-low levels in many cities.
For example, only two hours into Tuesday, Rochester, Minnesota, tied their record low temperature of 18, with several more hours available to trend downward.
Related:
"Frost will reach the central Plains and northern part of the southern Plains into the Upper Midwest," Roys said. "This will be impactful for the winter wheat across the central Plains because when the temperature gets below 28, then damage to the crop can happen."
Residents should ensure other sensitive vegetation that has begun to bud is properly protected from the cold.
The cold is likely to discourage many who may be experiencing cabin fever from venturing outdoors. Those who do brave the chill are encouraged to bundle up appropriately and follow all social distancing guidelines from health and government officials.
AccuWeather meteorologists stress that the cold will not be quick to leave across the North Central states, with the chill likely sticking around for much of the week. Through the middle of the week, colder air will spread east into the northeastern U.S.
Farther south, the air will slowly moderate during the middle and latter part of the week.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo