A glance ahead: cold for the east, warmth for the west; plus a major winter storm

The latest outlook from the Climate Prediction Center suggests a colder weather pattern will develop across the eastern half of the lower-48 next week as a trough establishes itself across the region while areas out west will favor warmer conditions with an upper-high building in. This outlook is from November 14 through November 18.

Model guidance also aligns with the latest thoughts from the Climate Prediction Center and also shows this weather pattern setting up that will deliver below-average temperatures to the east while the west sees above-average temperatures. The best chance for below-average temperatures will occur across the Southeast (dark blue) with the best chance for above-average temperatures in the Desert Southwest (brightest orange/red).

CPC temperature outlook

This pattern change will be accompanied by a storm system that will deliver an area of heavy snow and strong winds as the storm intensifies across parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other parts of the Great Lakes late this week continuing into the weekend. The snow will shift from west to east (from the Dakotas to the Great Lakes) from late Thursday/Friday through the weekend.

Simulated radar late week

The snow and wind will create near-blizzard conditions across eastern parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This area will also receive 1-2 feet of snow.

Snowfall accumulation forecast through this weekend