Above Average Temperatures Next Two Weeks

The latest two week outlook from the Climate Prediction Center is quite impressive; at least for temperatures.  According to NOAA, this winter went down as the 4th warmest on record for the U.S.  So, it should come as no surprise that this mild weather pattern is expected to continue through March.  In fact, some long term forecasts are calling for the mild pattern to continue through spring with an increased threat for severe weather through the Mid-Mississippi River and Ohio River Valleys.

Highs the next couple days will run roughly 20° cooler than what we felt Tuesday and Wednesday, but we're still going to be above average.  The jet stream remains fairly strong and with no true cold blasts expected to occur temperatures across the Great Lakes have the greatest chance of running above average!  Not only will this be felt across the Great Lakes but look at the U.S. as a whole.  The only region expected to be cooler is the Pacific Northwest as well as Alaska.   While it won't be overly stormy here, the mild weather may lead to an increase in rain/thunderstorm activity as we could see above average precipitation chances through the middle of March.