Daily briefing: Workweek starts cold

Although the winter solstice is still weeks away, winter is in full effect across much of the central and northern U.S. today. To top it off, several winter storms will be whipping up trouble today. This is included in today's daily briefing, published every weekday at 5 a.m. ET.

Arctic air is locked in place across the eastern Rockies and Front Ranges, the Plains states, the Midwest, the Great Lakes and the Northeast. After this morning's frigid start — Minneapolis is well-below zero— the TemperatureRadar shows highs in the 20s and 30s, with a few 40s in the western and southern Plains.

The South and Southeast into the southern Mid-Atlantic will be slightly milder, but a quick-moving storm system will bring rain and thunderstorms across Florida. The WeatherRadar shows the southern Appalachians receiving a wintry mix.

Another winter storm will be rolling into the Northwest today. This will bring a fresh round of rain to Seattle and Portland while snow falls over the Cascades. Snow will also whip across the Rockies today and tonight.

The Southwest and California will be sunny with highs in the 60s and 70s. The warmest spot in the nation will be southern Florida before the thunderstorms arrive later today.

Ski and snowboarding season is in full swing! Learn more about the resorts near you, including their forecast, snow depth and more on our Ski & Mountain feature.