December Thaw: Long-Lasting Break From Arctic Chill For Most Of U.S.

After several rounds of arctic chill this fall, most of the country will enjoy a long spell of warmer-than-average weather over the next week or two -- just as meteorological winter has begun.
(MORE: November 2014 Shattered Cold, Snow Records)

December Thaw Setup

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December Thaw Setup

 

A jet stream pattern that has encouraged cold air masses from near the Arctic Circle to rush southward into the U.S. will change over the next several days, allowing much milder air from the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico to become the dominant influences on temperatures nationwide.
Computer forecast models are in strong agreement that this will allow unseasonably warm weather to take over a large part of the Lower 48 later this week and on into next week.
(MORE: National 10-Day Forecast Maps)

24-Hour Temperature Change

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24-Hour Temperature Change

This map compares current temperatures to temperatures 24 hours ago. Yellow- and orange-shaded areas are warmer than yesterday, while blue-shaded areas are colder.

NOAA 6-10 Day Outlook

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NOAA 6-10 Day Outlook

This means temperatures will stay well above freezing, day and night, across much of the Deep South this week and probably next week as well.



http://www.weather.com/forecast/national/news/december-thaw-major-warming-trend