Weather whiplash: Record October heat gives way to autumn chills this week across much of US
Computer forecast models show a rapid invasion of fall temperatures later this week and into the weekend. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center even hints at some areas' first frost of the season.
More record October heat
The eastern half of the country is stuck in summer right now despite the calendar reading October. FOX Weather tells you how warm your city will get and when you will finally feel fall.
Yes, it is now October, but it appears Mother Nature has not checked the calendar lately. Record-high temperatures are putting fall on pause from Minnesota to Texas to Maine.
Keep those flannels, sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes nearby, though. Computer forecast models show a rapid invasion of cooler temperatures later this week and into the weekend. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center even hints at some areas' first frost of the season for some areas.
In many areas of the U.S., high temperatures could drop by 30 degrees between the beginning of this week and the upcoming weekend, triggering a weather whiplash.
FALL TAKES A PAUSE WITH HEAT EXPANDING FROM CENTRAL US TO NORTHEAST THIS WEEK
Record-high temperatures are delaying the arrival of fall in many states, from Minnesota to Texas to Maine.
(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency / Getty Images)
Record heat gives way
The temperature drops in the northern Plains and Rockies first. A storm and cold front, the leading edge of refreshing and crisp Canadian air, pushes through the central U.S. through midweek. Minneapolis will drop from its high of 92 on Sunday – an all-time record for October – to the lower 70s midweek and the 50s for the end of the week.
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Cooler temperatures are on the way.
(FOX Weather)
On average, Aug. 27 is the last day Minneapolis hits 90 degrees for the year. But not in 2023, as organizers were forced to cancel the Twin Cities Marathon for "Black Flag Conditions" on Sunday when temperatures climbed into the lower 90s. Oct. 1 is generally the last day the Twin Cities reach 80 degrees in an average year.
A look at low temperatures in the South this week.
(FOX Weather)
Even Texas will feel a bit of cooling relief. Residents have endured a record, summer-long heat wave.
The cold front won't bring much cool air to the Lone Star State, but thunderstorms with heavy rain will shield the heat-weary state from the sun to keep temperatures in check.
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A look at low temperatures in the North this week.
(FOX Weather)
After starting the week in the 90s, temperatures in Texas will drop into the 70s and 80s for midweek.
"In terms of the temperature departure from normal all through the South, up through the northern Plains here, 20 to 30 degrees above average," FOX Weather meteorologist Haley Meier said. "Unfortunately, we might have to hang up the flannels at least for the next few days… but (cooler air) is going to come into the area, and we will be returning temperatures back to normal."
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Finally a taste of fall.
(FOX Weather)
Northeast has longest wait for cooler temperatures
The Northeast will be the last area to get the taste of fall.
By this weekend, computer forecast models are showing a second shot of cool air filtering across the center part of the country and pushing east.
HERE'S WHEN TO EXPECT THE FIRST FREEZE OF THE SEASON
(FOX Weather)
The models suggest that from Friday into the weekend, a secondary cold front could help to reinforce this leftover cold front, bringing with it another shot of cooler Canadian air into nearly the entire eastern U.S., according to the FOX Forecast Center.
The temperature outlook is very likely cooler across Texas, Ohio Valley and the East Coast from October 7 to 11.
(NOAA's Climate Prediction Center / FOX Weather)
The long-range outlook from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) shows areas of the Tennessee and Ohio valleys very likely cooler from Oct. 7 to 11.
The cooldown won't last long for the northern Plains, though. The CPC forecast puts the Northwest, the northern and central Rockies and the northern Plains in the likely warmer category for this weekend and early next week.