Road To Mardi Gras Looks Warm & Mostly Dry. Big Upper Pattern Change

As we close out February on a quiet note, it appears the recent cooler cycle has ended and the Spring Preview we had earlier in the month returns for Mardi Gras week/weekend.   This is happening because the East Coast upper trough has retreated back into Canada with milder Pacific air over spreading most of the nation. You can really see the warm up over the central Plains.

 

It was warmer in Denver than here.  Oklahoma City & Tulsa reached the mid 70s.  That's what's coming our way.  The upper disturbance that gave us the rain yesterday has raced off the East Coast leaving behind a weak surface low.

It's a wet day over Florida, but that rain is heading east and not back towards us.  The main storm track this week will stay across the northern states.

Almost all locations are above freezing this afternoon eating in to any leftover snow cover.

Once the sun broke through the low cloud deck, temperatures soared into the 60s, which is close to our normal/average high (68).  A weak front might bring a stray shower late Thursday, but little in the way of cooler air.

It appears there could be a few showers around for Lundi Gras & Mardi Gras, however that would be due to upper disturbances and not any cold fronts.  Daytime highs in the 70s should be just what most want after our chilly spell.  The next real cold front arrives on Ash Wednesday.  There will likely be changes in that forecast as we get closer.  Stay tuned!