A renewed surge of Arctic air will grip the East Coast this weekend, bringing very cold temperatures to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Daytime highs and nighttime lows will run well below normal, with the coldest conditions expected Saturday night into Sunday. Some locations could see near-record cold before temperatures slowly begin to recover early next week. Elsewhere, conditions will be much warmer than average across the Plains and Rockies, with springlike temperatures in some areas. Much of the central U.S. stays dry. Out West, a change in the pattern brings a return of unsettled weather. Rain is expected along the Pacific Northwest coast, with snow in the mountains, spreading south into California early next week. Overall, temperatures gradually moderate nationwide by midweek.

Thursday: From Thursday morning through Thursday night, no thunderstorms are expected. A cold front will move across central and southern Florida as a weather system shifts east into the Atlantic. While a few clouds and brief showers are possible with the front, the atmosphere will not have enough energy to support thunderstorms or lightning. Overall, conditions will remain quiet with no thunderstorm activity anticipated during this period.

Friday:  From Friday morning through Friday night, thunderstorm chances remain very low. A weak weather disturbance will move north across parts of the Great Basin, bringing some clouds and spotty showers. While a brief lightning strike can’t be completely ruled out, the atmosphere is not favorable for strong or widespread thunderstorms. Overall, no organized or significant thunderstorm activity is expected during this time.

Saturday - Wednesday: Looking ahead to the weekend and early next week, a weak weather system is expected to move from Mexico into the Southwest, then toward the southern Plains by around Tuesday. The exact timing and strength of this system are still uncertain. However, the overall weather pattern and limited moisture return suggest that any storms that develop should remain weak. At this time, the risk for severe weather appears low.

National Outlook Sources: Weather Prediction Center & Storm Prediction Center