April cooldown to plunge across US with nearly 15 million under freeze warnings

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April cooldown to plunge across US in the week ahead

The cold front moving eastward that has already dropped temperatures across the central U.S. will ease the recent warmth across the eastern U.S. this weeend, eventually clearing the East Coast by Sunday. Once the cold front exits the Eastern Seaboard, most of the Lower 48 will enjoy a week of cooler-than-average temperatures due to the change in the jet stream pattern. A large dip in the jet stream will allow multiple weather systems to swing across the U.S., keeping temperatures relatively cool.

It's another temperature roller-coaster ride across much of the nation as another cold front will send temperatures plunging this weekend. 

The FOX Forecast Center says temperatures would go from well above average to well below average for a majority of the US, with some 134 million feeling below average temperatures Saturday, climbing to nearly 200 million on Sunday. 

"For the past couple of weeks, we've been talking about temperatures warming up being anywhere between 10 to 20 degrees above average," FOX Weather meteorologist Jason Frazier said. "But look at how many people are going below average – nearly 200 million of you by (Sunday). And it's pretty much the midsection of the country."

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The chill will be particularly noticeable in the Plains, where temperatures dropped below freezing Saturday morning and 15 million are under a Freeze Warning again for Saturday night into Sunday morning as lows will drop into the 20s. That includes cities such as Kansas City, Des Moines, Wichita and Des Moines.

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For many areas it's yet another quick spring turnaround in temperatures after a see-saw previous week that saw record heat give way to a cool down, then another push of warmth with the midweek severe weather event leading to the current chilly reversal.

While not overly cold, this will be a stark contrast to the record warmth experienced last week.

West coast warming up… finally

For once, the West Coast will have near-average temperatures whereas the rest of the country will be below average. 

"It's been so cool out West, the winter's been lingering," FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin said. "So that is a little glimmer out there to have temperatures that are a little more comfortable for all of you that live along the West Coast."

Seattle has yet to reach a high warmer than 56 degrees this April, but forecasts suggest highs in the 70s are possible by the end of next week.

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