December kicks off with a strong high-pressure system over the central and eastern U.S., bringing significant lake-effect snow to the Great Lakes and much below-average temperatures to most of the nation. The Breakfast Brief is published every Monday through Friday at 5 a.m. ET.

A surge of Arctic air to the east of a pronounced high-pressure system across the central U.S. will keep temperatures below average across the eastern United States through Tuesday. The cold air will be accompanied by ongoing heavy lake-effect snow in areas downwind of the Great Lakes.

Outside the Great Lakes, snow is also expected to move from the northern Plains through the Midwest and Ohio Valley, reaching the southern Appalachians as a low-pressure system develops along a cold front. The snow should gradually taper off from west to east throughout the day.

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Since skies will be clear across a big chunk of the nation to start the month, check out your all-in-one astronomy tool in our app. See when the moon rises, sunsets, and moon phases. Lots of happening in the sky.