As winter approaches its final days in 2024, Americans are experiencing remarkable temperature fluctuations, with Arctic air periodically plunging into the North and East, followed by brief warm spells. This trend is expected to continue until the end of the year.
In December, blasts of cold Arctic air contrasted sharply against the warmest autumn on record in many areas of the United States. Despite the seasonably cold weather at times, brief returns to fall-like warmth have created what can be described as a temperature rollercoaster. This unusual pattern is anticipated to carry on at least until 2025, impacting millions across the nation.
The latest cold air mass is slated to hit the north-central U.S. by Thursday, accompanied by a fast-moving snowstorm. This cold air will rapidly extend southward by Friday, enveloping the entire eastern half of the country by Saturday. Friday is expected to be the coldest day of the week in Minneapolis, with temperatures dropping from a peak of 40 degrees on Monday to only reaching the teens—a full 10 degrees below the norm. Similarly, Chicago is forecasted to experience below-freezing temperatures by Saturday afternoon after a sharp decline into the teens on Friday night.
This weekend, coinciding with the start of astronomical winter, the most frigid air of the season is expected to settle over the East Coast. Despite the official beginning of meteorological winter on December 1, New York City has yet to see temperatures drop below freezing during the day. However, this is likely to change on Sunday with a projected high struggling in the mid-20s after starting in the teens.
As early next week approaches, while the East Coast remains chilly, a warming trend is anticipated for the central United States starting Sunday. In Minneapolis, for instance, temperatures may rebound to near 30 degrees by Sunday afternoon and potentially climb above freezing by Monday—well above the seasonal average by about 10 degrees.
Looking forward to Wednesday, coinciding with both Christmas Day and the start of Hanukkah, an unusual warming trend is predicted for the entire contiguous United States. “All forecast guidance favors an unseasonably warm final week of 2024,” according to the Weather Prediction Center. This has been reported as the most unexpectedly warm forecast over such a broad area in more than 15 years, emphasizes climatologist Brian Brettschneider. Certain forecast models indicate that temperatures could soar nearly 25 degrees above normal in parts of the Midwest by late in the week, creating an environment more reminiscent of October for cities like Chicago and Indianapolis.
Much of the Western U.S. has escaped the below-average temperatures in December, a pattern likely to persist into early 2025. As New Year’s Eve nears, temperatures from coast to coast could climb as much as 10 degrees above the norm.
The remainder of 2024 is set to experience significant temperature fluctuations, with Americans needing to brace for both unseasonal warmth and sudden cold spells. As these patterns unfold, staying informed and prepared will be essential for navigating the unpredictable weather ahead.
