Keep the jackets close!

A pair of cold fronts with a high pressure following closely behind will bring below-average temperatures starting today and through the weekend to many in the eastern U.S.

It’s been a relatively mild April for just about everyone in the eastern half but this comes at a price as a quick cooldown is in store. We’re watching the active weather pattern unfolding across the Upper Great Lakes today which could bring isolated severe storms, triggered by a cold front.

A few gusty showers and even Michigan Upper Peninsula snow are possible as this front moves through, but it will leave behind temperatures as much as 12 degrees below average through Wednesday.

The other cold front helping to usher in the cooler weather is just out ahead of the Upper Midwest one, impacting the Ohio and mid-Mississippi valleys today through Wednesday morning before reaching the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

Temperatures from Indiana to the Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic will be 10 to 15 degrees cooler than average on Wednesday – some will only have highs in the 40s across the lower Great Lakes and Northeast. Brrr!

The cooler-than-average weather sticks around through the beginning of the weekend for many. Make sure to check the TemperatureRadar before you go out if you have outdoor plans!

We’ll make a quick switch starting Saturday to above-average warmth across the central Plains to the Midwest, Deep South, and Ohio Valley. Cold air damming will keep the northern Mid-Atlantic from Virginia Beach, Va., to northern Pennsylvania 5 to 10 degrees below average still.

By Sunday, most of the eastern U.S. will be back on the above-average side.

Even the Climate Prediction Center is showing above-average temperatures for most of the U.S., with the Pacific Northwest on the colder side, starting six days out from today!

To track the temperature swings, the TemperatureRadar is the best tool. Keep a close eye on your local forecast to know when you’ll be switching from long slacks to shorts!