Frequent Rounds of Snow for Great Lakes, Upper Midwest, and More

The constant parade of Arctic air masses will inevitably raise the chances for wintry precipitation for much of the central and eastern U.S. as the week progresses. Here is a look at this definitive winter forecast for a zone from the Plains to the East Coast and down into the Gulf Coast region.

Bitter Cold Settling Into the Central and Eastern U.S.

The mercury will continue its downward trajectory this week across the eastern half of the country. Temperatures will fall as much as 60 degrees from last week's record-breaking warmth, reminding residents that it is indeed the winter season. Accompanying the colder air will be frequent waves of snow and ice, particularly in the Upper Midwest, the Great Lakes, and the Northeast.

High winds marked the beginning of the week for much of the northern U.S. While these winds will begin to let up on Tuesday, the wintry precipitation is forecast to linger for days.

The leading edge of the cold air mass arrived in the Plains and the Mississippi Valley late Sunday and into early morning. The mercury fell by 40 to 60 degrees in a period of a few hours in some areas. For instance, after enjoying a record-high of 78 degrees on Sunday, St. Louis notched a reading of a mere 15 degrees on Monday morning. When combined with the wind, the real feel reading came in at 12 below zero in the Arch City.