Temperature rollercoaster surges across nation in brief relief from winter's extreme cold
A shock to the system will come on Thursday when temperatures are expected to reach the mid-40s to mid-50s in some areas in the Midwest and the Ohio Valley.
Temperatures rebound for millions after brutal arctic blast gripped the U.S
Temperatures rebound after the bitter cold gripped the country, bringing millions from the single digits to the 40s and 50s as temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees above average today. It’s a quick snap, however, as the cold air returns by Friday.
NEW YORK — Relief is here for millions of Americans dealing with the bitter, freezing temperatures — at least for a moment. While this won't be the most dramatic warm-up on record, it will be a much-needed break after a cold start to December, but Americans should not celebrate yet – another surge of Arctic air is just behind this week's coast-to-coast storm.
December has come in strong and has blasted much of the U.S. with cold air, with some areas running a few degrees below average month-to-date. The core of this cold has been focused across the Northern Tier and the Great Lakes, but a shift will put this chill on pause.
High Temperatures Above 50 Degrees
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
According to the FOX Forecast Center, a dip in the jet stream over the East is finally set to give way as a broader ridge builds in from the West. While the ridge is not necessarily a strong one, it will allow warmer air to surge farther north. A shock to the system will come today into Thursday when temperatures are expected to reach the mid-40s to mid-50s in some areas in the Midwest and the Ohio Valley.
December Temperature Departure Outlook
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
Following this blast of warmth is a cold front sweeping across the country and will trigger temperatures to tumble again. Areas enjoying the 40-50 degree air may be back to the 20s by Friday.
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Image 1 of 4FILE - People walk in cold temperatures in New York City on January 17, 2024. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
![FILE - People walk in freezing cold temperatures on February 4, 2023 in New York City, where temperatures were expected to reach a high of 27F (-3C). - The northeastern US and Canada are experiencing an Arctic blast that could see some areas record their lowest ever wind chill temperatures. The US National Weather Service (NWS) warned that parts of Maine might see wind chills of minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 51 degrees Celsius). "This is an epic, generational arctic outbreak," the NWS office in Caribou, near Maine's border with Canada, wrote in an advisory. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 2 of 4FILE - People walk in freezing cold temperatures on February 4, 2023 in New York City, where temperatures were expected to reach a high of 27F (-3C). - The northeastern US and Canada are experiencing an Arctic blast that could see some areas record their lowest ever wind chill temperatures. The US National Weather Service (NWS) warned that parts of Maine might see wind chills of minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 51 degrees Celsius). "This is an epic, generational arctic outbreak," the NWS office in Caribou, near Maine's border with Canada, wrote in an advisory. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![FILE - A man walks through the snow with a scarf over his face in Washington, DC, on January 8, 2014, as dry and unseasonably cold weather hits the area. An Arctic blast sweeping Canada and parts of the United States this week closed schools, grounded jets, killed at least four people, and even shook the ground. AFP PHOTO/JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 3 of 4FILE - A man walks through the snow with a scarf over his face in Washington, DC, on January 8, 2014, as dry and unseasonably cold weather hits the area. An Arctic blast sweeping Canada and parts of the United States this week closed schools, grounded jets, killed at least four people, and even shook the ground. AFP PHOTO/JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 4 of 4A person walks in freezing cold temperatures in New York City on January 17, 2024. Temperature highs in the city are expected to hit 25F (ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
Not everyone will return to the winter temperatures, however. The Southeast is expected to remain in a mild pattern even after the cold front passes. The jet stream will stay positioned far enough north to prevent the cold air from settling in the region.
Parts of the West will remain warm throughout the week, with over 90 new record high temperatures possible throughout the remainder of the week and possibly into the next. Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas and Las Vegas could all see record highs this week.
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With the warm air, the accumulated snow from the previous winter storms, will begin to melt. Outside of Michigan, Minnesota and parts of New England, much of the existing snow is likely to be erased after several days of warmer temperatures and rain. While flooding is not expected, the melting could lead to soggy and slushy ground conditions.
(FOX Weather)
The Climate Prediction Center outlooks favor above-average temperatures across much of the Lower 48 despite occasional shots of cooler air, putting a pause on snow chances heading into Christmas week. For those looking for a White Christmas this year, the odds remain even lower than previously thought.