Unusually cold temperatures, snow and severe weather in Wednesday's forecast
The eastern half of the U.S. is seeing unusually cold, cloudy weather much of this week: Highs only in the 40s and 50s and even several inches of snow possible in some locations.
Forecasters warn weather patterns are set to deliver March weather in May. Weather systems could also bring accumulating snow to some spots as well as another round of frosts and freezes to Michigan, Western Virginia and Pennsylvania, AccuWeather reported.
"The pattern much of this week will act like a giant pinwheel of clouds, showers and cold air in the Midwest and Northeast," AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
On Tuesday, high temperatures were about 15-25 degrees below average for the Great Lakes region and parts of Appalachia, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures also struggled to reach the mid-50s in Chicago and only peaked in the mid-40s around Detroit, local forecasts showed.
The cold will begin to fade by the end of the week, but cities including New York, Philadelphia and Boston will likely feel temperatures rise before Cleveland and Pittsburgh get a chance to warm up, according to AccuWeather.
On the West Coast, California is bracing for rain and potential flooding and the southern Plains is expecting severe thunderstorms later in the week.
Cool & wet today & tomorrow with temperatures still well below normal & some snow expected across the higher elevations. The good news though, there is a pattern change that will start during the 2nd half of the week & weekend. Warmer temps & drier weather arrive this weekend. pic.twitter.com/hPbOvfWYoB
— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) May 2, 2023
Heavy snow could cover isolated areas in eastern US
A swath of the country spanning Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia is expected to get snow on Wednesday.
In areas with the highest elevation, such as West Virginia's mountains, residents could expect 6-12 inches of snow, and up to 15 inches is possible, AccuWeather forecasters said.
Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories were in effect for the state, as well as a nearby Maryland county, according to the National Weather Service.
"The weight of the wet snow could bring down tree limbs, which could lead to sporadic power outages. Fallen tree limbs that are large enough could also block secondary roadways," AccuWeather reported.
Rain to drench southern California
A storm that has already hit much of Northern California is expected to reach the southern part of the state on Wednesday and into Thursday, bringing rain to Los Angeles and San Diego, AccuWeather forecasters said.
May could be unusually wet for those cities, which have historically averaged less than half an inch during the month, according to AccuWeather.
"Given how scarce precipitation typically is at this point in the year across the state, it is possible for this storm to unload a month's worth of rain in some locations," the outlet reported.
"Torrential downpours" could happen in the southern part of the state, complicating commutes, AccuWeather said.
A few inches of snow is also likely in mountainous areas of southern California, the weather service predicted.
On Tuesday, the same storm system brought showers to northern and central parts of the state, and temperatures stayed in the 50s, according to AccuWeather.
Severe thunderstorms in Texas, Oklahoma
A few severe storms are possible in the southern and central Plains on Wednesday, but those will just be a precursor to Thursday, when more intense weather is forecast for much of Texas and parts of Oklahoma, AccuWeather forecasters said.
On Thursday afternoon and evening, severe thunderstorms stretching from Oklahoma City south to Dallas and San Antonio could bring flooding, hail, tornadoes and damaging winds with speeds up to 65 mph, the outlet reported.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Today's weather forecast includes cold temperatures, snow, storms
