Weekend Weather Spotlight: 2-12-21

Arctic air remains in place over the north-central part of the country through the weekend as a couple of disturbances move from coast to coast producing rain and snow. 

First, arctic air will not be in a hurry to leave the north-central part of the country but will be reenforced and head further south during the latter half of the weekend. Widespread highs in the 0s and -0s are expected from central MT southeast to northern KS and northeast to WI today and Saturday, then get as far south as the TX panhandle potentially on Sunday. The coldest highs in the -0s are expected to be from central MT east to northern MN today and Saturday, then build south into SD, central IA, and northwest WI on Sunday. 

Two disturbances also move from the Northwest eastward through the central Plains and then through the eastern third of the country. Several inches of snow is expected in the Intermountain West and central and southern Rockies, and then a few inches will be possible from southwest SD to northern TX in the Plains and from the Mid-Mississippi River Valley northeast to the eastern Great Lakes. Further south and east periods of heavy rain will be possible from the Gulf Coast states to the Mid-Atlantic. 

The warmest spot in the country will be in central and southern FL where highs are expected to be well into the 70s with some 80s.