Temperatures on the rise across the US, melting snow leads to flood watches: weather forecast

Jordan Mendoza and Doyle Rice, USA TODAY
·3 min read
18

After months of cold winter weather, a majority of the United States will finally be getting some sun as temperatures begin to rise.

Much of the East Coast dealt with severe weather last week, ranging from downpours to deadly tornadoes. This week, the Plains, Midwest and Northeast will have warm spells that could break historical averages for mid-April.

Meteorologists are also watching the Gulf Coast for a potential early season tropical or subtropical system, although the chance for formation is now looking less likely than it did over the weekend. In any case, areas of heavy rain are expected for a large portion of the South this week.

Warmer temperatures are also in the future for parts of the West, and areas with an abundance of snow are on flood watch while the Pacific Northwest will get more rain.

Here's what to expect this week in the national weather forecast:

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US continues to warm

AccuWeather meteorologist La Troy Thornton said "a massive dome of high pressure" will set up in the Southeast and will be responsible for a significant warmup along the East Coast.

Temperatures will be hovering around the low-to-mid 70s for the central parts of the country Monday, while the East will be in the high 60s. By midweek, many places will see highs that are 10-20 degrees above historical averages.

Here's what the high temperature will be in some cities on Monday:

  • New York City: 66 degrees

  • Chicago: 69 degrees

  • Los Angeles: 77 degrees

  • Denver: 76 degrees

  • Dallas: 75 degrees

  • Nashville: 72 degrees

Stormy, soggy South

A developing low-pressure area in the Gulf of Mexico will bring increasing threats of heavy rain that could bring flooding to parts of the Gulf Coast and the Southeast mid to late week, the National Weather Service said.

AccuWeather had said a tropical or subtropical storm could potentially form from that low anywhere from near the coast of the Florida Peninsula and the Keys to the Louisiana coast later this week. However, forecasters say that chance is less likely now. It would have been the Gulf of Mexico's first tropical storm on record in April.

Storm or not, Florida will get showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday, the weather service said.

Snow melts lead to flood watch in West

Several states in the West will be under flood watch as a result of melting snow from warming temperatures. Places like Boise, Idaho, could have highs in the high 70s.

"This week's quick warmup will cause the snowpack to melt rapidly, bringing a rapid rise in river levels," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Bill Deger.

States affected include:

  • Northern and eastern Oregon

  • Idaho

  • Northern and central Nevada

  • Western Wyoming

  • Montana

"Now would be the time to clear snow, ice, and debris from culverts and other flow paths to allow runoff to flow away from buildings and other vulnerable infrastructure," the weather service said.

Rain, snow in the Pacific Northwest

Winter weather will remain in the Pacific Northwest, as a front that moved onshore Sunday night will result in rain through late Monday afternoon.

"While a majority of the West will experience a trend towards drier conditions this upcoming week, that will not be the case across the Pacific Northwest," said AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.

Parts of Washington, Oregon and far Northern California will be affected by the rain and snow.

US weather watches and warnings

National weather radar

Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Weather updates: Temperatures going up, flood watches in the West