A storm front, which has provided much-needed rain for firefighters in California, started its journey across the United States on Tuesday. Meteorologists predict it will bring rain, snow, and ice over a 2,600-mile stretch from the Southwest to the Northeast by the weekend. 

The National Weather Service forecasted “locally heavy snow” and snow squalls for the Great Lakes and Northeast until Wednesday. They also warned of potential flooding rain and severe thunderstorms affecting the South Central U.S. and the Mississippi Valley from Wednesday into Thursday.

This storm brought about an inch of rain to parts of Southern California and several inches of snowfall in the mountains over the weekend. AccuWeather anticipates accumulating snow from northern Arizona to Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska starting as early as Wednesday.

In the southern regions, as much as 6 inches of rain could lead to flooding and travel disruptions from central Texas to western Kentucky. By the week’s end, major urban areas like New York City may experience heavy rain, ice, or snow, with Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., potentially facing multiple hours of intense rain that could disrupt travel plans.

Gale force wind warnings from the Great Lakes to the Northeast

The National Weather Service has issued gale warnings for the coastlines of Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey in the East, along with Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio in the Midwest. Boat operators are advised to adjust their plans due to dangerous conditions.

The weather service in Michigan cautioned that “strong winds could create hazardous waves, risking capsizing or damaging vessels and diminishing visibility.”

In Chicago, warnings were given regarding dry air coupled with wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph, resulting in an increased fire risk this afternoon. They urged people to exercise caution when handling smoking materials and suggested delaying any burning that isn’t essential.

Gale warnings are placed when sustained winds or frequent gusts are expected to fall between 39-45 mph.

California’s rains may not offer long-term relief

As the weather system that has recently brought significant rainfall to Southern California slowly progresses eastward, wary residents might wonder how long they can avoid the wildfires that have hit Los Angeles County neighborhoods this month. The approximate answer: possibly a week?

However, this does not imply that destructive fires will immediately return in early February, but the recent precipitation has not been sufficient to completely alleviate the drought conditions and associated fire risks.

“This might keep things subdued for a week or so,” explained AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva. “The rain accumulation wasn’t extreme. It will aid in controlling the fires, but in a week or so, we will see dry conditions again.” Read more here.

− Jorge L. Ortiz

Warm temperatures returning after weeks of extreme cold

There’s some good news regarding the weather: much of the Central, Eastern, and Southeastern U.S. is experiencing a warming trend, with temperatures returning to or exceeding seasonal averages after several weeks of harsh cold. The South faced a rare snowstorm just last week due to the extreme cold conditions.

“Much of the Central and Eastern U.S., positioned between the Southwest and Northeast regions, is set to experience well-above-average temperatures through Thursday,” noted Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Deirdre Dolan. Certain areas in the north-Central U.S. could experience temperatures 15-25 degrees higher than normal, possibly breaking records.

Colder than usual January in the Northeast

AccuWeather reports that January has been notably colder than usual, with the Northeast and I-95 corridor tracking several degrees below historical averages due to the recent cold snap. In general, Washington, D.C., has experienced nearly 6 degrees less than the historical norm, while Philadelphia is around 5 degrees below and New York City is roughly 4 degrees under its usual average, according to AccuWeather.

Meanwhile, while the Gulf Coast and parts of the South are recovering from a record snowfall, the Northeast has had relatively minimal snow accumulation this season.

“Philadelphia, for example, has only recorded 4.9 inches of snow since October 1, which is about half of the expected average for that timeframe,” stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Courtney Travis.

Phoenix nearing a record dry spell

As the week continues, it seems less likely that Phoenix will end its long dry streak. The weather station at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport needs to measure at least 0.01 of an inch of rain to break the current streak, which has persisted for 158 days. Forecasts that previously indicated a 50% to 60% chance of rain for Phoenix this week have dropped to 20% to 30% on Tuesday, with even lower chances afterward, according to the National Weather Service.

If Phoenix remains dry until Thursday, it will set a new record at 161 consecutive days without measurable rainfall. Read more here.

− Taylor Seely, Hayleigh Evans, Arizona Republic