April chill to bring below average temperatures to the eastern half of the country

A big cool down has arrived for areas east of the Rockies after a potent cold front swept through. The cooler temperatures behind the cold front are expected to remain in place with reinforcing pushes of cooler air through the end of the month, possibly continuing into early May.

This comes after quite a bit of recent warmth and a warm winter for many of these areas. Farther west, the pattern flips and much of the western United States will see temperatures surge to above average values after a chilly winter.

The Climate Prediction Center's 6-10 and 8-14 day temperatures outlook favors below average temperatures for areas east of the Rockies with temperatures expected to stay above average for the West.

6-10 day temperature outlook

8-14 day temperature outlook

High temperatures across the South and Southeast are expected to stay in the 60s and 70s with 40s and 50s for highs farther north into New England, the Great Lakes, and Midwest. Highs across the Desert Southwest will climb into the 90s and 100s with 80s as far north as the Pacific Northwest.