Nationwide temperature divide putting more than 100 records in jeopardy through weekend
An area of high pressure is allowing for warm air to expand across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic, leading to the possibility that more than 100 record-high temperatures could be broken through the weekend.
Record-breaking heat grips the East Thursday
The great temperature split continues for the U.S. Temperatures in the Southeast remain well above the seasonal average. Around 42 million are experiencing temperatures in the 80s. Subzero wind chills have been reported in the West during an arctic blast.
A powerful and disruptive winter storm that has impacted millions of people from coast-to-coast has led to a dramatic temperature divide across the country that is breaking records.
There’s been an area of high pressure settled across the Southeast, which aided in the development of the storm that’s impacting the Northeast and New England after slamming the Plains and Upper Midwest with heavy snow, blizzard conditions and icing.
Record-high temperatures are in jeopardy of being broken across the eastern U.S. while record-cold temperatures are expected in the West.
(FOX Weather)
That area of high pressure is also allowing for warm air to expand across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic, leading to the possibility that more than 100 record-high temperatures could be broken through the weekend.
More than 50 records were broken Thursday in an area stretching from the Gulf Coast and Southeast into the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic.
(FOX Weather)
Records fell in major cities like Washington, D.C., Nashville and Baton Rouge, where temperatures surpassed 80 degrees Thursday afternoon.
(FOX Weather)
In fact, parts of Florida could break February records that have stood for years, with high temperatures away from the coast climbing into the 90s through the weekend.
Orlando, Florida, has only hit 90 degrees in February three times since 1892:
- Feb. 15, 1935
- Feb. 24, 1962
- Feb. 25, 1962
'It's pretty unprecedented': Florida's record heat continues in February
Very hot conditions will continue for most of Florida the next several days, said Matt Volkmer, NWS Melbourne Meteorologist. Volkmer noted that 90-degree weather does not happen too often in the Sunshine State during the month of February.
More records are expected on Friday, with most of those in danger of falling in Florida.
Areas where record-high temperatures are in jeopardy of being broken on Friday.
(FOX Weather)
Other records could be broken in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Alabama.
Western US continues to shiver
In the West, bitterly cold arctic air has returned with a vengeance.
A strong cold front dropped into the U.S. from Canada, sending temperatures plunging across the Northwest, portions of the West Coast and parts of the Rocky Mountains.
Expected wind chill values on Friday and Saturday morning.
(FOX Weather)
Dangerous wind chills have also been reported, and those conditions are expected to last through at least Saturday.
Glasgow, Montana, could experience a wind chill value of -35 degrees, while Bismarck, North Dakota, could feel like it's -33 degrees on Saturday morning.
Los Angeles, which is expecting a powerful storm starting Thursday that has prompted rare Blizzard Warnings in area mountains, will likely see a high temperature in the low 50s on Thursday.
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