A sudden change in cold weather in the central United States

AccuWeather meteorologists say a dramatic shift in pattern will take shape early next week across the Plains, which is expected to bring noticeably cooler conditions and increased chances of stormy weather.

“After a seemingly endless stretch of heat this summer across the Southern Plains, there are finally signs of relief in the coming days,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.

In the coming days, residents in some areas of the Southern Plains are on track to see daytime high temperatures in the 70s for the first time since mid-June or early July. For many cities, including Wichita, Kansas; Amarillo, Texas; In Oklahoma City, temperatures expected this week will be similar to normal mid-October values.

This hasty shift to cooler weather may be welcomed by many across the south-central states after the hot summer temperatures that have gripped the region over the previous months.

Many locations across the Southern Plains have reported year-to-date temperatures above the 2023 historical average, which may not come as a huge surprise to residents who have noticed several periods of daytime highs rising above 100 F throughout July and August. .

Even at the start of the weekend, heat warnings were issued across central and south Texas. Forecasters say temperatures above 100 F will continue to dominate the Texas coastal plains and areas of Hill County with AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures approaching 110 F.

Meteorologists are analyzing the factors behind this dramatic change in pattern, and attribute it to the collapse of the upper-level pattern over the southern states, as a pocket of high pressure moves south from Canada, bringing with it cooler air.

“The dome of high pressure will stall southward late this weekend into early next week, opening the door for cold fronts to press southward. In addition to the cold conditions, much-needed rain is also expected,” Buckingham explained.

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As the frontal boundary moves south across the Plains next week, several episodes of showers and thunderstorms will develop across the region. Some of them can lead to the risk of exposure to different patterns of severe weather.

On Sunday, a feature emerging from the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains will ignite thunderstorms from Nebraska to the Texas Panhandle during the overnight hours. Wind gusts can reach 60-70 mph with AccuWeather Local StormMax™ gusting to 80 mph in the strongest storms.

In the coming days, chances of thundery rain will occur over parts of the plains. However, given the pattern of drought this region of the United States has faced this summer, many locations in this region are experiencing levels of moderate to exceptional drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

“Much-needed rain may come at a cost for some residents, as it could come in the form of severe thunderstorms. Damaging wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding may be common across the southern Plains heading into the middle of next week.”

Monday into Tuesday, a front moving southeast from Kansas into Texas will bring additional opportunities for wet weather and locally strong storms. Hot conditions will be contained throughout South Texas and the Gulf Coast states over the next week.

Forecasters say this upcoming pattern of cold conditions and daily thunderstorms across the central states is expected to continue through at least midweek. As rain chances gradually decrease in this area by late week, temperatures remain below the historical average for mid-September.

By the end of next week, conditions are expected to gradually rebound and turn slightly warmer. However, AccuWeather meteorologists say values ​​are unlikely to rise again to the temperatures observed this weekend.

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