Millions of Americans have enjoyed weeks of spring-like warmth but had to brace for freezing temperatures, with some areas experiencing a 20-degree swing.
After St. Patrick’s Day weekend, much of the country will be plunged into cold weather, with more than half of the U.S. population experiencing cold or even frigid conditions.
Cold air is forecast to creep into the Midwest on Sunday, with temperatures dropping to 23 degrees in Minneapolis and 31 degrees in Chicago.
This winter weather will extend into Tennessee and Alabama in the south before finally reaching the Northeast. For example, a low morning temperature of 35 degrees is expected in New York City on Tuesday morning.
According to Fox againAbout 182 million Americans are expected to experience below-average temperatures on Monday.
Millions of Americans enjoyed weeks of spring-like warmth but had to brace for freezing temperatures, with some areas experiencing a 20-degree swing
New York City will see a morning low of 35 degrees Tuesday morning after a week of spring-like warmth. Pictured: People enjoying the warm weather in Central Park on Thursday
Some cities will experience a swing of more than 20 degrees after weeks of spring-like warmth. Pictured: People enjoying the warm weather in Central Park on Thursday
From Saturday to Monday, St. Louis, Missouri, is expecting a swing of more than 20 degrees, with temperatures dropping from the high 60s to the low 40s.
Likewise, high temperatures in Atlanta are expected to drop from the low 70s to the mid 50s. CNN.
Minnesota residents can wake up to typical winter weather, with morning temperatures reaching 75 degrees on Sunday and dropping to the low 20s on Monday.
Temperatures will be low enough to cause frost and freeze conditions as far south as both Louisville and Nashville could dip below 30 degrees Monday morning, typical winter weather for the area.
Further east, cold air is expected to reach much of the eastern half of the country on Monday.
For example, New York City is forecast to experience days with high temperatures ranging from the mid to upper 40s, compared to the historical average of 50 degrees.
Waves of colder air could bring flurries and snow showers to parts of the Midwest and Northeast. AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson said.
“The situation is a little more complex than last weekend as some disruptions will occur along with the jet stream decline and will cause the magnitude of flurries and snow showers to fluctuate,” he added.
The arrival of cold spring weather comes after many parts of the country experienced the warmest winter on record.
Record-breaking heat engulfed the country in February, traditionally one of the coldest months of the year.
Nebraska and Illinois saw temperatures in the 60s and 70s, despite their average February temperatures being between the high 30s and low 40s.
According to the National Weather Service, Nebraska had the “second warmest February on record” in its 154-year history of weather tracking.
FOX Forecast Center meteorologist Cody Braud blamed EL Nino for the warm winter, saying the weather pattern “played a big role in the record warmth.”
The arrival of cold spring weather comes after many parts of the country experienced the warmest winter on record. Pictured: People enjoying the warm weather in Central Park on Thursday
FOX Forecast Center meteorologist Cody Braud blamed EL Nino for the warm winter, saying the weather pattern ‘played a big role in the record heat’ Pictured: Hurricane Irma seen in Miami, with EL Nino blamed for the gray skies
El Niño – which translates to “little boy” in Spanish – is caused by a shift in the distribution of warm water in the Pacific Ocean around the equator. Pictured: People walk past Times Square during a winter storm in February
“The pattern for El Niño typically means a strong Pacific jet, which moves the Arctic jet further north,” he said.
“There are other facets to the story, of course, but this largely keeps the coldest air out of the Lower 48.”
‘This allowed an abundance of warm air to dominate the eastern two-thirds of the country. Not only that, but it also caused the storms to be mostly rain.”
El Niño – which translates to “little boy” in Spanish – is caused by a shift in the distribution of warm water in the Pacific Ocean around the equator.
Although the pattern’s influence has weakened, NOAA warns that it could continue through the summer, bringing above-average temperatures in August.
According to the Weather Channel, temperatures will quickly rise again late next week, with the remaining spring months being warmer than normal.
“April and May could only be moderately warm, which would be notable in our new world of accelerated global warming,” said Todd Crawford, Vice President of Meteorology at Atmospheric G2.