World's First Chief Heat Officer's Tips

I​f you've been looking for a change in the weather, you may be in luck. A​n upcoming pattern change will bring an end to the record warmth in the northern tier and the persistent wet weather in California.

C​urrent Pattern

A​n amplified jet stream has been in place, specifically a northward bulge over portions of the central and eastern United States with a southward dip over the West.

This has resulted in record highs and warm lows in many locations in the Midwest and Northeast this week. It also has brought a persistent wet and cool pattern in the West.

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U​pcoming Pattern

T​he jet stream pattern will change – by the second half of next week, it'll become more zonal, meaning less amplified and generally moving west to east. By the end of next week, the pattern may end up with a trough in the East.

An upper-level high will replace a trough of low pressure near the West Coast, while an upper low may influence weather across the northern and eastern U.S.

(192-hours: Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days – only available on our Premium Pro experience.)

W​hat Temperature Changes Will This Bring?

T​his will bring an end to the near record-warm temperatures. Temperatures will generally still be milder than is typical for this time of year, but closer to average.

H​ighs in the Midwest and Northeast will return to the 30s, while the South can expect highs in the 50s and 60s.

T​emperatures in the Southwest will warm a bit, returning closer to average instead of slightly below average.

(​FORECAST: 10-Day Outlook)

W​hat About Precipitation?

A​ drier pattern will also develop in much of the West next week. However, there are signs that heavy rain and snow may return to California and the Southwest around Presidents' Day weekend. The Northwest, however, will likely continue to see the chance of rain and mountain snow, at times.

M​uch of the central and eastern U.S. will be dry after a system exits the Northeast early next week. There will be a few disturbances that may bring some rain and snow showers to the northern tier, and wet weather may return to parts of the South late next week.

(​MORE: Weekly Planner)

T​his Pattern May Last Into Late February

T​his reality-check pattern will likely extend into late February.

C​ooler-than-average temperatures are likely for much of the East and South around Presidents' Day weekend and possibly into the following week.

A​bove-average temperatures are most likely in the Pacific Northwest and in the upper Midwest, though perhaps not as warm as we've seen recently.

Linda Lam is a lead meteorologist at weather.com. Growing up in Massachusetts, she developed a fascination for winter storms and hurricanes that led her to pursue a career in meteorology.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives.