Heat Wave Will Give Way to Cold Snap in the Eastern U.S.

The unseasonable heat rolling across the eastern U.S. will be fleeting. Forecasters are predicting that a cold snap will follow on the heels of the record-challenging warmth, bringing a number of risks to blooming flowers and trees throughout the Midwest and the Northeast. Read on for the details of the upcoming change in the weather on the clock.

Record-Breaking Heat to Give Way to Dramatically Chilly Weather in the East

Enjoy the summerlike temperatures while you can. A fresh infusion of cold air will take over the Great Lakes this weekend before expanding into the Northeast by the beginning of next week.

Until that time, residents of the Midwest and the East will see the mercury reach levels most typically seen during the first part of the summer. Daily record highs could fall across some of the major urban areas in the Northeast, including Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. The nation's capital could see readings approach the all-time April record high of 95 degrees on Thursday during the peak of the heat wave.

Coastal areas of the Northeast will see cooler weather in the days ahead. A mass of chilly air is predicted to dip to the south along the New England and mid-Atlantic coastlines beginning on Thursday. This wedge will produce a sharp temperature gradient between the coastal region and areas farther inland.

This burst of cooler coastal air will stop short of reaching the Southeast. It will remain toasty in cities such as Charlotte and Atlanta through the first half of the weekend, with daily record highs expected to be challenged in both of these key metro areas in the southeastern corner of the country.

Temperatures will not be quite as hot in the Midwest. While the air temperature is plenty warm, the ongoing storm threat will bring in persistent clouds that keep a lid on the mercury during the peak afternoon heating hours.