Daily briefing: Snow, rain activity & more cold scoots south

The northern tier is active today with rain and snow. Also, another fresh shot of cold air starts moving south. The daily briefing is published every weekday at 5 a.m. ET.

The northern tier has two systems bringing activity today. An ice-cold low-pressure trough is bringing more snow showers from the northern and central Plains through the Midwest and into the Northeast.

Across the Pacific Northwest, a stormy pattern continues where rain and mountain snow keep the WeatherRadar busy. Seattle and Portland, Ore., residents will need umbrellas, while those travelling across the Cascades and northern Rockies should pay close attention to chain requirements.

The Upper Midwest is coldest today with highs in the single digits from Fargo, N.D., to Minneapolis and Green Bay. Teens and 20s will spread from Bismarck, N.D., to Kansas City, Mo., Louisville, Kent, Washington D.C., and up through Maine.

Slightly more mild 30s and 40s will be found from Oklahoma City, Okla., to the Carolinas. The Mountain West will have similar highs too. As for the West Coast, a mix of 50s and 60s will keep things more mild. Much of Texas and the rest of the Gulf Coast will have these highs too, but South Florida will hit the low 70s. The Desert Southwest is the warmest spot in the upper 70s and low 80s.

Have you used the WindRadar? Track gusty winds throughout the winter season to know when to add a couple of layers.