It will soon feel more like May than March in many parts of the United States
It's not just clocks that will spring forward this weekend. Temperatures will, too.
Several May-like waves of warmth will ride across the country through next week, during which around 170 million people across more than 30 states can expect temperatures to reach higher than 70 degrees, as far north as South Dakota.
Recent and upcoming warm weather contrasts sharply with the meteorological winter that recently closed as the coldest in over a decade in the United States.
As the warmth pushes east, a couple of storms will bring cool conditions, valley rain and mountain snow to Western states, including several experiencing long-term precipitation deficits and elevated wildfire risks.
Severe weather is also possible in the central and southern part of the country next weekend.
The pattern change comes as the jet stream dips in the North Pacific Ocean. This will bring some cooler conditions to Alaska, where Anchorage has been about 12 degrees warmer than average so far in March.
Temperatures may be as much as 20 to 30 degrees above daily averages across many central and northern states next week, with two or three distinct waves of unseasonable warmth. That means T-shirts and shorts may suddenly become more common than jackets and sweatshirts. And iced coffees may be substituted for hot ones.
The first wave will bring 60- and 70-degree temperatures as far north as the Dakotas and Minnesota on Sunday and Monday. In Minot, North Dakota, it hasn't reached 60 degrees since early November, a streak that will probably soon come to an end.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, unusually warm conditions will be found from the south-central states to the Northeast, with 70-degree temperatures in Kansas City, Missouri, where blizzard-like conditions occurred earlier this week.
As the nationwide hot spot, temperatures in parts of southern Texas could reach 100 degrees, not far from monthly record highs.
Washington will be in for its warmest weather since November, with temperatures surging into the 70s.
By Thursday, another warm-air mass will probably move into the central states, tracking eastward from Friday into next weekend. It could feel more like May than March as far north as southern Canada.
Around 60 million people across more than a dozen states — from California to North Carolina — are forecast to experience temperatures above 80 degrees throughout the week.
The warming trend follows a similar pattern to March 2024, which was also warmer than average east of the Rocky Mountains.
As the East basks in late spring warmth, the West will generally be cooler, especially when a late week storm moves in.
Los Angeles is forecast to spend most days in the 50s or lower 60s, continuing this month's trend of cooler-than-average conditions. It may be warmer in parts of New Hampshire and Maine than Southern California at times next week.
Some beneficial rainfall could cross Southern California on Tuesday before moving into Arizona.
This area is home to some of the largest rainfall deficits in the country, with some areas more than 8 inches below average since September.
A more substantial storm may move into the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday before spreading south and east into California and the Intermountain West on Thursday. The system could come with a burst of rain for the West Coast as well as heavy mountain snow.
Chilly, unsettled conditions may continue in the West into next weekend.
On Tuesday, severe thunderstorms caused wind damage from Texas to North Carolina, with more than 300 reports of damage and 20 tornadoes.
While severe weather looks unlikely as next week begins, it may end on a more thunderous note.
The late-week western storm could emerge into the Plains on Friday, bringing a risk for gusty storms in the central and southern states.
While it's too early to speculate on precise details, strong temperature contrasts between the West and East will contribute to a pattern ripe for severe storms.
A record warm patch of ocean water in the western Gulf of Mexico may contribute extra moisture and humidity — key thunderstorm ingredients.
Although the spring equinox isn't until March 20, Mother Nature seems to already be announcing its arrival.
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