Monday's Weather Outlook

Unseasonably mild temperatures will be in the forecast across much of the nation for the first full day of winter. A potent weather system will also bring soggy, snowy weather to the West, while a few other spots also see active weather.

An upper-level weather system will inch closer to the West Coast on Monday, sending waves of Pacific moisture into the Northwest, northern Rockies and northern California. Rain will soak the coast and lower elevations, possibly becoming moderate to heavy at times. The mid-elevations will see a rain/snow mix early and late, with just rain during the daytime. Snow will be piling up in the mountains and higher elevations.

After weeks of soggy weather, additional moderate to heavy will likely trigger areas of flooding. The best chance of flooding will be found next to rivers, creeks and streams as well as urban, low-lying and other more flood prone areas. Remember, if you do approach a flooded roadway, it is always best to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”

Snow over the mountains and higher elevations will lead to slick, icy and even snow-packed roads. Blowing snow and reduced visibility will also be concerns if traveling. Difficult, if not impossible, travel conditions are expected over the highest stretches of Interstates 15, 80, 82 and 90. This moderate to heavy snow combined with high winds could lead to downed trees and powerlines, with power outages possible.

A cold front will be nearly stationary over the north-central U.S. on Monday, while a fast-moving disturbance zips across it. There will likely be freezing rain or a freezing rain/snow mix across the far northern Plains in the morning and afternoon. As this disturbance moves farther east, this freezing rain or wintry mix will transition over to all snow in the Upper Mississippi Valley on Monday night.

A warm front will also be attempting to lift across the Great Lakes during the day, before heading towards the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic in the evening. Light to moderate snow will fall across the Great Lakes in the morning and afternoon, which could possibly be mixed with freezing rain at times. Snow will mix with and change over to rain across the Lower Great Lakes in the evening, while snow will continue in the Upper Great Lakes. Rain will also become increasingly likely in the Ohio and Tennessee valleys Monday evening and night.

There will be a few more spots that join in with this active weather. Flurries or light snow cannot be ruled out across the interior Northeast. There could also be a few showers and thunderstorms along the western and central Gulf Coast.

Southern California and the Four Corners states, the central and southern Plains, the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic should all see dry weather.

The interior Northeast and a few spots in the northern Plains will only see the mercury climb into the single digits and teens. Twenties and 30s are in store for the tallest peaks in the Mountain West as well as the northern Plains, Great Lakes, southern New England and the northern Mid-Atlantic. Highs will be in the 40s and 50s across much of the Northwest, northern California, the Great Basin and Rockies along with the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, the southern Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas. Milder 60s and 70s will be recorded for the southern two-thirds of California, the Desert Southwest, the central and southern Plains and Deep South. Isolated to scattered 80s will occur in the warm spots of the Desert Southwest, southern Texas and far southern Florida.