Weather forecast this week: Arctic air will be replaced with heavy rain, ice and warmer weather

CNN
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Parts of the U.S. are set to see a warm thaw after frigid weekend temperatures, but the warm air will bring the risk of ice and flooding to some states, while another severe winter storm is set to hit parts of the Plains and South on Monday area.

A series of winter storms this month has killed at least 79 people in 13 states.Death toll keeps rising after sunday Mississippi emergency management agencies reported more weather-related deaths.

Now, a series of fronts and low pressure systems are working together to bring warm air and tropical moisture into the eastern half of the United States this week.

The Arctic freeze will end and cities will begin to warm, with temperatures in some cities rising by nearly 30 degrees in three to four days.

Temperatures will be significantly above average by the end of the week, with highs in the upper 60s to upper 70s Thursday across the Southeast and into the 50s in northern New York.

Overnight low temperatures will soar into the 60s in parts of the Southeast, potentially breaking more than 100 records for the hottest day.

The warm air will eventually dissipate the Arctic storm that dominated much of the country’s weather this weekend, but it also brings with it some potential dangers, including ice and flooding.

As moisture from the Gulf of Mexico pushes northward Sunday into Monday, it will collide with cold air still lingering over parts of the central United States, creating ice and freezing rain over a wide swath from Dallas to as far north as Fort Wayne, Indiana.

“Meanwhile, the presence of arctic air further north will support a mix of precipitation, sleet and ice as moisture reaches Oklahoma and Kansas tonight,” the Weather Prediction Center said.

Several state transportation offices urged travelers to stay off the roads.

“Freezing rain is expected across much of the state from Monday into Monday, possibly causing icy conditions. Please avoid travel or postpone travel if possible,” the Missouri Department of Transportation said Sunday afternoon. Posts on Xformerly Twitter.

In Arkansas, transportation officials warned Monday’s commute would be severely affected by freezing rain Sunday night into the start of the work week.

The National Weather Service issued an ice storm warning for parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Parts of Oklahoma are also under a winter storm warning.

Tulsa weather service forecasters warned of “severe icing,” which is a quarter to half inch of ice accumulation, along with sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph and stronger gusts.

“A combination of ice accumulation and winds may cause multiple power outages,” the Tulsa weather service office said in a forecast message.

Most areas facing an ice forecast could see less than a quarter of an inch of ice by Monday night, but up to half an inch is expected in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, according to the National Weather Service. Serve.

As warm air continues to move northward, freezing rain and freezing rain will turn into rainfall, bringing the threat of flooding.

About 37 million people along the Gulf Coast and western Southeast are at risk from flash flooding and excess rainfall from Monday to Thursday morning this week.

The risk of excess rainfall and flash flooding moving eastward this week is Level 2 (of 4):

• Monday – East Texas
• Tuesday – Lower Mississippi River Valley
• Wednesday – Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee
• Thursday to Friday morning – Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coast into Tennessee

Some areas will be at the risk of Level 2 heavy rain for many consecutive days.

Rainfall totals over the next five days could reach 5 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts.

The weather service office in Lake Charles, Louisiana, said there is also a slight risk of severe weather in areas hardest hit by heavy rain.