Overview
- The West and Southwest begin a pattern shift Friday as a Pacific low brings breezier conditions, a 15–25 degree cooldown and widespread rain, with 0.25–0.75 inches possible and higher totals in mountains and high desert.
- Forecast timing has sped up for the central and eastern U.S., with warm-front showers developing late Saturday and a cold front Saturday night, then drier and breezy weather returning Sunday.
- Parts of New England and northern high terrain could see a brief wintry mix or mountain snow late Saturday night into early Sunday, with rain farther south and only limited minor impacts before a quick exit.
- Many areas stay unseasonably mild through Friday into Saturday, including 50s–60s in the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, 70s in the Plains, and upper 70s to low 80s in the Deep South.
- Winds frequently gust 20–35 mph around the transition, supporting elevated fire danger in dry warm spots; Northern Lights chances have faded or will be blocked by increasing clouds.