World's First Chief Heat Officer's Tips

A warming trend is ahead this weekend for much of the Lower 48 and wet weather is expected to return for some heading into the week ahead.

Cool and wet conditions return this weekend in parts of the Northeast, while a retrograding, or westward moving, low will approach eastern New England early week. The next low pressure system that could bring a severe weather risk will move into the central U.S. mid-week.

Widespread Above Average Temperatures

Temperatures will be 20 to 30 degrees warmer than average this weekend from parts of the Southwest into the Rockies, the Northern and Central Plains and parts of the upper Midwest. Phoenix may even approach 100 degrees this weekend.

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Temperatures will likely result in daily record highs. Las Vegas, Denver and Bismarck, North Dakota, are among the cities that could set new records.

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A warming trend is also ahead for parts of the East and South, where above average temperatures will arrive by early week. Highs will be in the 70s and 80s for many locations east of the Rockies, excluding areas closer to the Canadian border and the Northeast.

Temperatures will begin to moderate a bit in the West early week and put an end to record highs.

The warmer than average trend may continue for much of the Lower 48 into mid-April.

However, temperatures may be cooler than average near the West Coast toward the end of the week, according to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.

(MORE: April Temperature Outlook)

Retrograding Low Near New England

An area of low pressure is expected to retrograde, or move westward, toward New England and southeastern Canada late this weekend into early week. A blocking pattern in the upper levels of the atmosphere will prevent the low from progressing eastward.

Parts of southeastern Canada and Maine may see rain and snow as a result. Gusty winds may also develop in parts of the Northeast as the pressure gradient tightens.

The low pressure system will likely pull away from the Northeast mid-week.

Cool, Wet Northwest

A dip in the jet stream will bring the chance for rain and mountain snow to parts of the Northwest this weekend.

Another system will likely approach the Pacific Northwest mid-week and increase the chance for precipitation. The timing and path of this next system remain a bit uncertain.

High and low temperatures will generally be near average in the Northwest, although temperatures may be slightly cooler than average closer to the Washington and Oregon coasts.

Next System to Watch

A low pressure system will track through the West early in the week and emerge in the Plains around the middle of the week.

This system will organize as it slides eastward and a southerly flow will allow moisture to surge northward. Rain and thunderstorms are expected to develop in portions of the South and Midwest.

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A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible from the Ozarks to the mid-Mississippi Valley late Wednesday.

It's too early for details with this next system, but there is the potential for some severe thunderstorms on Thursday, too. Check weather.com for updates in the days ahead.

(MAPS: 7-Day Forecast)

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