Below Normal Temperatures Remain Through the Upcoming Weekend

Lead Forecaster Daniel Crawley

Good Wednesday evening, we continue to be in the midst of a cold weather pattern across the Eastern United States for November standards. and that will remain over the next few days. Temperatures this time of the year average out in the upper 50’s across the Northern Foothills with temps around 60 in he Western Piedmont

Wednesday’s weather here locally was pretty nice, we have some mid and upper level clouds filter through the Carolinas with temperatures in the 50’s. However starting tomorrow we take another dive in the temperature department.

Why is it so cold?

We have a significant blocking episode in the jet stream that has delivered some abnormally cold air into the United States. A large blocking high centered over Alaska and the West Coast of North America has unleashed air from the arctic region. This general blocking pattern will persist through the upcoming weekend. Deep northwest flow pushes the cold air into the Southern and Eastern parts of the country and it also keeps moisture from advecting northward.

Highs for Thursday-Sunday will be in the 40’s to around 50 degrees, which is at least 10 degrees below normal. The coldest day is tomorrow with low to mid 40’s region wide which is 15-18 degree range below norms.

Looking at the video loop below you can see the pattern and the cold air that is loaded in the pattern.

It’s not until next week that we begin to see a change in the pattern. On Monday the final surge of cold air will have passed through and the Western North America has relaxed itself bringing Pacific origin air into the United States. That will gradually push the cold out…

First Look at Thanksgiving Week…

This is just outside the current 7-Day forecast cycle but still worth mentioning, a storm system may organize to our west and could bring unsettled weather to the Eastern US around Thanksgiving. Today’s European model indicates a strong upper level system developing over the Southern Plains while the GFS shows a flatter, less active flow.

We’ll definitely keep an eye on it and update things as we get closer…