Happy TGIF! :)
It's all uphill from here in the East with temperatures surging some 30 to 35 degrees warmer by the middle of next weekwith 60 degree temperatures from Chicago to New York City and even near 70F as far north as Eastern PA - New Jersey.
Meanwhile out West a series of storm systems will bring widespread heavy rain (2-6"+) and feet of snow to the Sierras with much colder conditions. Need to watch for a frost (low to middle 30s) around the 12th in the San Joaquin Valley where most vegetables are grown.
The other big area of severe weather and flooding risk is going to be from East Texas to Western Kentucky where 8-16" of rain is possible as these West Coast storms move into the Deep South over the next couple weeks. Very possible we get a few widespread severe tornado outbreaks in this region.
With this pattern shift we expect March temperatures overall for the month to trend +5F to +8F above average from North Dakota to Texas to New Jersey and all points North and East. This would make it a top 3 warmest in 25+ years for these areas and the U.S. overall the 2nd warmest March in 25+ years and warmest since the record warm 2012 year. From PA to Maine temperatures will trend a whopping 10 to 14 degrees warmer than last year with another area in IL to IN also 10 or more degrees warmer than last year March. Good news for retailers selling Spring merchandise and the rest of us who are done with Winter. Out West March will be closer to average for the month overall but that's still the coldest in 4 years (5 to 10 degrees colder than last year in CA and NV) and very likely the wettest in 21 years for California - they'll take it. So, a lot of exciting weather on the horizon.
For a detailed recap of Winter (Dec - Feb) visit our blog.
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Have a great weekend! - Capt Kirk out.