Still too far out for 100% confidence but all things point to a bout of very cold weather across the entire North American continent over the next week.
From The Washington Post:
Rare coast-to-coast cold snap to engulf Lower 48 late next week
Frigid air will grip an unusually large portion of the Lower 48 states in just over a week’s time. The cold is predicted to consume almost the entire nation, from the Pacific Northwest to the Southeast, sparing only Florida.
While some parts of the country are forecast to experience temperatures 30 to 50 degrees colder than normal, the cold snap will be most remarkable for the amount of real estate it is predicted to cover.
Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist based in Alaska, noted Thursday that the National Weather Service’s six- to 10-day temperature outlook projected the nation’s largest area with high confidence (90 percent probability) of below-normal temperatures in 15 years of issuing such outlooks.
Cliff Mass has the following:
The Potential for a Major Cold Spell in the Northwest
Although temperatures have been relatively normal for the last few days, the last month has been decidedly colder than normal over the Northwest, as suggested by this map, which shows the deviation from normal for the past 30 days. Much of our region has been 2-4F colder than typical during the past month. Such cold temperatures have brought us a very healthy snowpack.
But the latest model runs are suggesting a much colder period next week, one that would be far colder than we have seen in many years.
Time to check the level on the propane tank - I have a heat pump but it only works to a 50°F differential. Also planning to spend some time tomorrow and Saturday with Buttercup the Tractor chopping up as much ice as I can from the driveway. It is melting but there is still an inch or two left and if that freezes, getting in and out will become very interesting. Got a bunch of firewood stacked up so good there.
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