Rain for California, Snow for Mid-West, 20+ Degree Temperature Changes in Southern U.S. (Credit: Meteorologist Jessica Olsen)

Image Courtesy: NOAA

DISCUSSION: Well into the heart of November and while it's to be expected we are and can be expecting interesting November weather. Some contribution to these interesting changes are the addition of a mild La Niña, which is evident in the Southern United States as they experience an increase in wildfire activity.

In the next 60 or so hours we should expect the jet stream to dip in portions of the Pacific and mid-Western United States. Earlier this week a deep ridging was seen in the southern US, but as a significant low pressure system moves in we see heavy changes throughout the continental US. This is apparent in states like Arizona experiencing higher than average temperatures, Monday/Tuesday.

With the dip of the cooler air into southern portions of the United States, and the presence of a large frontal system, we are starting to see the beginning of changing temperatures with the presence of precipitation. The mid-west will expect to see cooler temperatures due to a strong low pressure system which will bring the first significant snowfall over the Rockies and into the Plains. Behind the low pressure system it will be possible for heavy snow in the western regions of the system as cold air sweeps through the middle portions of the United States. Ahead of the system there will be warmer than average temperatures as it moves into the Northeast.
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Parts of California and the eastern Pacific should expect to see some cooler, more seasonal temperatures, with the possibility of some precipitation in the form of rain, with snow in the higher elevations. This would be much needed in California as many areas still suffering the dire effects of drought. Areas of the southern US will likely see cooler, more seasonal temperatures such as Yuma, which experienced a peak high of 90 on Tuesday, November 15th, with todays predicted of 71, a large change due to the low pressure system.

Stay tuned for additional information from the Global Weather and Climate Center on this seasons's first large weather changes seen throughout the US!

~Meteorologist Jessica Olsen

Image Courtesy: NOAA