Truth Strikes: Debunking Biggest Weather Myths

The week ahead will feature bitterly cold temperatures across parts of the nation's northern tier as multiple rounds of snow and ice track through the Midwest and Northeast. Portions of California will see rain and mountain snow return.

Here's a look at what we are tracking.

1. The Coldest Air of the Season Will Stick Around in the Plains, Midwest

Frigid air has engulfed parts of the Plains and Midwest and it will stick around through much of this week.

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Subzero low temperatures were recorded Sunday morning in Chicago, Minneapolis and Des Moines, Iowa. Lows in the single digits surged as far south as Missouri and Kansas.

SPONSORED: Epic winter clearance sale at Sierra Trading Post

This much colder weather pattern will remain locked in across the Plains and Midwest this week.

High and low temperatures will be 20 to 40 degrees colder than average in the Northern and Central Plains and upper Midwest throughout much of the week ahead.

Subzero low temperatures will be common through Friday from Montana and the Dakotas into the upper Midwest. For full details, see the link below.

(MORE: Here's the Temperature Forecast)

2. Another Snowmaker Arrives Early Week in the Midwest, East

On the nose of the expanding round of cold air, a rain- and snowmaker will push eastward through the Midwest, Northeast and South in the first half of the week ahead.

This system will bring light snow to the Midwest on Monday and Monday night. Light snow will then spread into parts of the Northeast on Tuesday.

This system won't have a strong low pressure system associated with it, so despite the abundant cold air, snowfall totals are not expected to be heavy. Most areas will receive a dusting to perhaps a few inches. This includes Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, New York City and Boston.

Rain is expected from the mid-Atlantic into parts of the Southeast.

3. Second Round of Snow, Ice and Rain Into Late Week

More wintry weather could affect the Midwest and Northeast during the latter half of the week.

This will be triggered by upper-level disturbances moving from west to east across the central and eastern states from Wednesday through Friday.

Although uncertainty is high, there will be more snow and ice in the Midwest from this setup by Wednesday. Rain and thunderstorms will develop in the South.

By Wednesday night into Thursday, snow and some ice might affect a broad area from the Midwest into the Northeast. Some freezing rain and sleet could dip into the mid-South.

Significant icing is possible from this setup in an area stretching from the Ozarks into the Ohio Valley.

Rain and thunderstorms will widespread across the rest of the South.

4. Rain and Mountain Snow Return to California

California will start the week with dry conditions dominating much of the state.

That could change by Thursday into Friday as the door opens up for a Pacific storm to bring much-needed rain and mountain snow to California and other parts of the West.

This system could even bring wintry weather to lower elevations of the Pacific Northwest, potentially including Portland, Oregon.

Another weather system could affect California with more rain and mountain snow next weekend.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.