Breakfast brief: Icy mess departs Northeast

A quick-moving winter storm will bring an icy mess to parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, while arctic temperatures return to parts of the northern tier. The Breakfast Brief is published daily, Monday through Friday, at 5:00 a.m., Eastern time.

The central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic is an icy mess this morning as a winter storm brings freezing rain and sleet. Closer to the coast, the WeatherRadar shows above-freezing temperatures and cold rain. Snow is falling across the Great Lakes and into the Northeast. too.

This same system will move into the Northeast today, bringing a quick burst of snow to New England. It will end quickly tonight.

The WeatherRadar shows rain falling across the Ohio and Tennessee valleys with a few rumbles of thunder continuing through the afternoon.

Another bout of heavy rain and mountain snow arrives this afternoon across northern and central California and southern Oregon. This much-needed rain could cause localized flooding, especially along rivers already swollen with rain received over the past week.

A large spread in the temperatures, as seen on the TemperatureRadar, will be found nationally. Highs in the 80s will heat Texas, while 70s extend from the Southwest into the Southeast and Florida. Conversely, arctic-like single digits will freeze the northern Plains and upper Midwest.

Severe weather season often ramps up during the spring. Make sure your app alerts are on to get live-saving warnings.