Much of the CONUS is in what appears to be a warming trend as the upper level anticyclonic flow has parked across the entire map and a dry southerly flow is now established across a large portion and in fact the eastern two-thirds of the CONUS. Clearing skies today are the general rule and will allow temperatures to climb into the 60's and 70's across a large portion of the Great Pains into the Midwest region. Even surrounding areas will be rather mild.
But keep up with the forecast this weekend as an approaching upper level shortwave moves into the central Plains on Saturday. We may see a potential for a winter storm system across the corn belt and western Great Lakes region. Also some severe thunderstorms could be possible from the Ohio Valley southwestward to Texas.
