No Relief from the Frigid Temperatures for the Midwest and Northeast

Those in the central and eastern portions of the U.S. should get used to the frigid temperatures. Forecasters are warning that a thaw is well in the distance thanks to more rounds of Arctic air headed down from northern Canada. Here is a look at the definitively winter like forecast for the eastern two-thirds of the country.

Coldest Air of the Season Headed to the Central and Eastern U.S.

You are going to need to wait awhile longer to warm up if you live in the central and eastern U.S. The coldest air of the winter season is still on the way for these regions thanks to a continual stream of Arctic air expected to invade the Midwest and the Northeast through the end of the month.

Several rounds of Arctic air have been blasting much of the U.S. with more on the horizon. The good news is that next week's weather pattern is not likely to support a major widespread winter storm similar to what unfolded twice over the first full work week of January. The only substantial wintry precipitation in the next few days will likely be classic lake-effect snow events for areas downwind of the Great Lakes. A few snow squalls may also break out at times in the Midwest and the Northeast.

The upcoming wave of Arctic air will make it as far south as the south-central U.S. and over into the Southeast. The unseasonably cold temperatures will erase the threat of frozen pipes while also putting an increased demand on energy grids in areas not accustomed to this type of weather.

It has already been an exceptionally chilly start to the year for much of the country located to the east of the Rocky Mountains. For instance, New York City has recorded temperatures nearly 3 degrees below the historical average. The mercury has dipped about 4 degrees below the norm for early January in Minneapolis, a part of the country that is already shivering this time of the year even without the influx of Arctic air.

Colder Weather Welcome News for Winter Sports Enthusiasts

This winter weather in the northern tier of the U.S. may seem even more dramatic due to last year's unseasonably warm conditions. Many ice fishing companies in the Upper Midwest had to suspend business last year simply due to a lack of ice. That is not looking to be the case this season as ice continues to build across the Great Lakes and throughout other bodies of water in the region.

Ski resorts are also giving thanks to the colder weather this year when compared to last winter. Even if the resorts are not picking up significant snow, the colder temperatures will provide a boost to snow making machines.

The winter sports fun will come at a cost. Meteorologists are predicting that the next batch of air will be the coldest measured so far this season. This Arctic air is likely to push into the U.S. beginning on January 12, lingering for at least three days. In addition, the new snow cover across the eastern third of the country will amplify this cold air.

The north-central U.S. is expected to see the coldest readings during this upcoming weather pattern. When combined with the winds, the real feel readings will slip well below the zero-degree mark in many areas.

Although there is going to be a break in the active storm pattern heading into the beginning of the new week, the long-range forecast is predicting that more storms will fire up starting on January 19. A short pause in the Arctic air intrusions beginning around that time will pave the way for moisture to come up from the Gulf of Mexico and the south-central U.S. and fuel more activity.

This line of moisture will likely either move into the Great Lakes or head into the coastal portions of Northeast. Where the storm heads will determine if the moisture falls as rain or snow. This storm path will also influence where the next surge of Arctic air will land.

Next Blast of Cold Air

The next mass of Arctic air is likely to arrive in the northern tier of the nation between the dates of January 20 and 24. The constant stream of Arctic air from the north and into the U.S. will bring down the monthly average temperatures, making this one of the coldest Januarys in recent years.

Looking ahead to the end of the month, forecasters are predicting that a slow but steady warmup will begin to envelop the majority of the central and eastern states. This warmup could linger for weeks, providing long-lasting and noticeable relief from the cold as of late.

How La Niña is Influencing the Weather

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its monthly update last week, indicating that a weak La Niña has formed and is likely to last into early spring. As such, a La Niña advisory is in effect. According to NOAA, the cooling threshold of the waters in the Pacific has been met, demonstrating that La Niña is now guiding the weather patterns around the world.

The latest report out of NOAA predicts that there is a 59% chance that La Niña conditions will persist through February to April. The agency is expecting the transition back to neutral conditions at some time between March and May.

Weak La Niñas are typically not as influential on overall temperatures and precipitation levels. However, there are still ways that this pattern can drive the weather into the back half of winter.

During La Niña phases, the north-central portion of the U.S. tends to experience colder temperatures while the South enjoys readings that trend above average. Because this La Niña is shaping up to be weaker, it makes sense that the southern U.S. has seen frequent bouts of cold air when compared to average.

Thus far, the precipitation impacts driven by La Niña are lining up with what meteorologists would expect out of this phase. For instance, the Pacific Northwest and the Ohio Valley have trended wetter than normal this winter, a hallmark of La Niña patterns. Because La Niña is not coming out as strong as expected, these patterns may become muted in the weeks ahead as the phase loses its grip.

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