How The Weather Will Affect You This Week, From Allergies To Winter Driving

Tornado Flattens Wisconsin Homes

The weather this week will be a typical spring mix of heat, some humid air, rain, thunderstorms, even snow, and some of that will impact how you feel, especially if you struggle with seasonal allergies.

Let's list some of the impacts of this week's weather, including some tips on what you might do around the house given all the changes.

Achoo!

In parts of the Southeast U.S., it's a perfect storm of warm temperatures and persistent dry weather in mid-April that will lead to high pollen counts all week.

In areas from Virginia to the Deep South, it's both tree and grass pollen that will be high all week. And we don't expect rain to help wash the pollen out of the air in these areas until sometime this weekend.

Hello, A/C

Speaking of the heat, it will feel a bit like summer for several days in a row in the East and Southeast, with highs in the 80s, even 90s.

While highs have reached the 80s earlier this year, the heat hasn't been as persistent in the East as what we'll see this week.

So, if you haven't used your air conditioning yet this spring, you'll need it this week. Make sure also to check on the elderly, as well, especially those without access to air conditioning.

Fortunately, there won't be summertime humidity, so if you want to save a bit on your cooling bill, you could probably open your windows and air out at night.

If you're used to running outside, say, right after work or in the afternoon, you may want to adjust your routine and run in the morning before work when it's cooler.

(MORE: Record Heat Forecast)

House Burp, Or Not?

It will also be quite warm much of this week in the Plains and Midwest, bringing full blown spring fever into play.

As a resident of the upper Midwest, I couldn't wait. I put screens back up on all my casement windows and can't wait to crank them all open to air out the house after the recent stubborn cold weather, what has become known as "house burping".

But there's a hitch.

First, we expect a lot of thunderstorms in the nation's heartland this week.

So, I probably won't air out this week, since I don't want that humid air in my home.

But it's also a reminder to have your A/C system checked, to turn off your whole house humidifier for the season and to replace your furnace filter every three months.

Oh, and for more northern locations, you may have noticed your grass is starting to grow already. So, it's not only a good time to get your lawn mower ready for the season, but you may need to make the first season's cut soon, once the ground dries out.

(MAPS: 10-Day US Forecast Highs/Lows)

Big Achy Change In Time For Weekend

Don't get too used to this warmth.

In a classic April move, a strong cold front will sweep from the Northern Rockies through the Plains into the East late this week and weekend.

This type of pressure change and colder air could lead to some more aches and pains than usual.

And while it won't be a total washout anywhere in the East, it could throw a monkey wrench in your plans at least one of the weekend days.

(MAPS: Daily US Rain/Snow Forecast)

Skiers Relief

It's been a trying ski season in the West, with snowpack at its record lowest level in at least the past couple of decades.

A late week weather system will bring some decent snow to much of the Cascades and Rockies. It could even bring some light accumulations in both Denver and Salt Lake City.

Coupled with last weekend's feet of snow in California's Sierra, it's another morsel of good news for skiers and riders. But it could also cause some travel headaches through the mountain passes.

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.