State College, Pa. –‚ AccuWeather.com — A combination of factors will result in warmer weather for the East and South in the near future. Arctic high pressure will move off the coast, while strong March sunshine goes to work on the snow pack. Take away the Arctic air and melt the snow, it should feel more like springtime later in the week into the weekend. Enjoy, but don’t get used to it!
Clear skies, light winds, an Arctic air mass and snow cover are ideal components for the frigid temperatures experienced over the past several days. Take away that Arctic air and replace it with a Pacific style air mass and set into motion will be a marked warming trend for most.
The transition from the deep freeze to above normal temperatures will trigger precipitation in the Northeast. A bit of rain will pass through the central Appalachians and the southern Great Lakes Thursday into Friday, depending on location. However, a bit of snow, ice or even a wintry mix will pass through the northern Great Lakes, Upstate New York and New England.
No substantial precipitation will fall over the South through much of the weekend. Late in the weekend, the approach of a storm system from the West may ignite strong thunderstorms over the Mississippi Valley.
Don’t put your winter clothes, snow brushes and shovels away just yet. Computer models are hinting at a see-saw weather pattern through the first part of April.