NEW YORK — While this winter had memorable storms and occasional shots of arctic air, mild temperatures dominated for much of the season. The Weather Network has released its Spring Forecast for the months of March, April and May, giving an idea of what’s to come.
The next few weeks will see bouts of cold for the Great Lakes and Northeast, with an active storm track keeping the South unsettled. As we move through April and May, a warming and drying trend will allow spring-like conditions to burst onto the scene.
In line with the Winter Forecast predictions, record warmth dominated during December in the Great Lakes and Northeast, while several rounds of winter weather emerged in January and February. “This winter has been milder than the last couple for most of the country, but there is still great anticipation for that first stretch of consistently warm spring weather. Those in the Midwest and Northeast will have to endure a few parting shots of winter over the coming weeks before warmer weather takes the stage in April,” said Chris Scott, Chief Meteorologist at The Weather Network. “Spring across the Southeast will kick off with periods of severe weather, and that threat will expand into the central and southern Plains through April.”
Overall, a warmer than normal spring is expected across the northern tier, stretching from the Pacific Northwest through to the Great Lakes and into the Northeast. Temperatures will average below normal from the Southwest through the western Gulf Coast due to increased cloud cover and precipitation. The jet stream pattern will bring increased rainfall from Southern California though the Southeast, while drier than normal conditions will prevail across the Great Lakes.
Early indications are for a hotter and drier summer from the Midwest into the Northeast, whereas a close eye will be kept on the tropics where a fading El Niño is expected to contribute to a potentially active Atlantic hurricane season.
Complete Spring Forecast details, including regional breakdowns, maps and charts are available here. Americans can be prepared for changeable weather patterns by visiting www.theweathernetwork.com/us or by downloading The Weather Network app from Google Play or iTunes.