Map Shows Which States Are Expecting 'Big Weather Change'

Much of the U.S. is expected to undergo a “temperature roller coaster” this week, according to the most recent forecast by the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Weather Prediction Center.

Temperatures soared across much of the U.S. on Monday in advance of a storm working its way west across the nation. The high temperatures, combined with low humidity and gusty winds, created dangerous conditions for outdoor burning, which is typically not seen in the Midwest until the spring months. High temperatures will continue on Tuesday for most of the U.S., but a map shared by the NWS shows that temperatures will plunge across the Central U.S. from Texas to Minnesota beginning on Wednesday.

“A big weather change is ongoing for the work week,” the NWS Weather Prediction Center posted on X (formerly Twitter) with the map.

The map showed that on Tuesday and Wednesday, record-high temperatures would shift from the Midwest eastward up toward the Northeast. On Wednesday, a cold front associated with the approaching storm will begin to move through the nation.

A National Weather Service map shows current advisories across the U.S. On Tuesday, much of the U.S. is experiencing above-normal temperatures.

National Weather Service

“A cold front will bring a short-lived cold blast from the Rockies to the Midwest,” the forecast said. Following the record warmth, expect high temperatures to drop into the teens across the Upper Midwest, 30s-40s further south and east by Thursday. The Northern Plains will rebound to above normal temperatures again by Thursday.”

The approaching storm is causing the temperature roller coaster, NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist David Roth told Newsweek. Warm temperatures are occurring in advance of the storm in the south and east, and then the cold temperatures will follow the storm.

“The cold front that comes through will be a quick shot, but nothing close to record-breaking for this time of year,” Roth said. “Any cold is going to be brief.”

Warm temperatures will return for the Midwest this weekend.

As of Tuesday morning, winter storm advisories were in place across much of the Pacific Northwest. Meteorologists expect that the incoming storm will bring heavy snowfall to the Cascades, Rockies and Sierra Nevada. A red flag warning was in place in the Central U.S. because of high temperatures, gusty winds and low relative humidity.

“Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly,” the red flag warning said. “Outdoor burning is not recommended.”

On Monday, a red flag warning was in place for the Chicago region, the first time in seven years that the area was under such a warning this time of year. High temperatures continued on Tuesday, and Roth told Newsweek that central and northern Illinois could set a daily record-high temperature for February.