Warmer Air on the Way to the East, But Not for Long

The temperatures will be on the upswing to start the work week in the Midwest and the Northeast. However, another cooldown is in store just a few days later, staying on trend with the rollercoaster of temperatures as of late. Here is a look at this fickle forecast.

Warmup in Store for First Part of Week in the Midwest and the Northeast

While the first half of May is forecast to be cooler than average as a whole, the upcoming days will feature brief warmups that will keep residents on their toes. Wildly fluctuating temperatures will mark the week ahead for most of the Northeast and the Midwest as competing air masses continue to push through the region with regularity. Some days will find residents reaching for sunscreen, while other days will necessitate a jacket.

It was a chilly weekend for millions of Americans in the eastern half of the nation. The mercury hovered at about 5 to 15 degrees below the historical average for the first weekend of May for most of the Midwest and Northeast. The weekend also brought instances of isolated frost and freezes, as well as light snow that fell in areas downwind of the Great Lakes. A northerly flow of air coming down from Canada was responsible for the early May chill.

Warmer winds coming up from the south began to displace some of the cool Canadian air on Sunday in the Midwest. This surge of warmer air will make its way to the Northeast and the mid-Atlantic on Monday. The warmth will become more entrenched on Tuesday, marking a return to warmer-than-normal weather before a surge of cooler air takes over again.

For instance, after topping out with highs at about the 60-degree mark over the weekend, New York City will enjoy a high of near 70 degrees on Monday. By Tuesday, the Big Apple will approach the 80-degree barrier. Sunny skies early in the day will give way to increasing clouds and breezy conditions in the afternoon, signaling that the impending weather change is on the way.