Spring preview on the way!

We have some wonderful news for those who have been looking forward to warmer temperatures – and by warmer we mean above-freezing! A warm-up is happening across the U.S. this week, with many feeling temperatures as much as 20 degrees above average for late January.

The furnaces will finally get much-needed breaks this week as temperatures rise in many parts of the U.S. after a long spell of below-average, and unfortunately deadly, cold air. The mercury is bouncing back giving many a spring preview.

It may not feel like much yet, but many will have temperatures 5 to 10 degrees warmer today than Sunday, and they will only continue rising each day this week across the eastern half of the U.S.

Right now, many are dealing with a winter storm bringing rain and ice. Learn more from the latest forecast.

The high-pressure ridge building in the upper atmosphere will siphon warm, southern air into the East. We’ll begin to see a gradual rise each day this week and even the chance for record-breaking overnight and daytime temperatures starting Wednesday morning across the eastern half.

For example, Rochester, Minn., usually has lows in the teens this time of year. On Wednesday morning, they could come close to breaking their warm low-temperature record of 30F with a forecast low temperature of 31F.

As the warmer air continues east, the daily high-temperature records could be smashed in a few spots too along the East Coast by Thursday. Widespread temperatures in the 50s, 60s, and 70s will spread from the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley southward to the Southeast, with Florida having temperatures in the 80s.

Places like Wallops Island, Va., Bryson City, N.C., as well as Orlando and Leesburg, Fla., could tie or break daily high-temperature records for late January.

So, how long is this warmer trend predicted to last? According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center outlook, the next two weeks will likely have above-average temperatures across most of the U.S. These warmer temperatures are more typical for an El Niño winter. This means we’ll likely move into February with above-average temperatures for many.

Those who recently experienced heavy snowstorms know that these temperatures will melt things quickly, and before we get into the warmer temperatures, any snow melt could refreeze on surfaces overnight. Take precautions on roadways and sidewalks if you come to slippery surfaces.