Warmer Weather Ahead as Winter Weather Transitions

After a colder-than-expected January, milder weather is on the horizon for much of the country as February continues, according to weather experts. This shift comes after the annual Groundhog Day tradition on Sunday, Feb. 2, when Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter for the 2024-2025 winter season.

Paul Pastelok, the lead long-range forecaster at AccuWeather, stated that a prolonged winter is not anticipated for some regions of the United States. In fact, he mentioned that “the transition to springlike weather and warmer air is happening earlier than the historical average from the southern Plains to the Gulf Coast.”

While the possibility of an extended winter hitting the Midwestern and Plains states remains uncertain, Pastelok noted that four winter weather systems are expected to impact the country from the Northwest into the Plains starting on Feb. 5 through the following week. “It’s going to be busy for most of February,” Pastelok remarked.

Furthermore, Pastelok mentioned that colder weather will persist in many of the top corn-growing states, albeit not as severe as January. The weather forecast from north to south across the country is showing a significant contrast, which is typically not observed until March. Temperatures around the Gulf Coast have already reached around 80℉, according to Pastelok.

Drought Conditions Expected to Expand in Southwest

Along with the warmer temperatures in the Gulf, drier conditions are expected in the southern and southwestern states, as per Pastelok. Currently, only one weather system could develop and bring some snow to southern Colorado, while southwestern Texas is projected to remain dry.

“The Southwest has missed out on most of the rain and storms so far this winter,” Pastelok stated, leading to an expansion of drought in that region. The likelihood of experiencing an early spring in the Southwest is increasing as the soil continues to dry out.

Springlike Weather Transition Sluggish in Other States

While the Southwest region anticipates an early start to spring, contrary to Punxsutawney Phil’s long winter predictions, Pastelok mentioned that “the transition to springlike weather will be sluggish from the Northeast to the Great Lakes and the northern Plains.” Weather patterns are expected to fluctuate between mild stretches and bursts of colder and wintry weather over the next few weeks.

Snow, Ice, and Rain in Forecast for Midwest and Plains

Snow, ice, and precipitation are all expected to impact regions that have seen minimal snowfall this winter in the coming weeks, according to Pastelok. Storms forecasted in the next few weeks are likely to enhance soil moisture from Missouri to the Tennessee Valley, bringing rain and ice to the region.

For the Midwest, snow is expected to fall around major cities like Chicago, Kansas City, and others. South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are also forecasted to receive snow in areas that have seen little precipitation this winter. Temperatures in some areas, such as the Dakotas, are expected to be 10 to 20℉ below the average for this time of year.

The cold weather anticipated across the Midwest and Plains states could impact sensitive livestock and potentially harm dormant winter wheat crops. Western Nebraska growers, in particular, may face challenges if their crops have not received sufficient snowfall. The extent of the damage will only become apparent once the crops emerge in April.