Arctic air aiming at central US this week may set stage for snow

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

November 04, 2018, 4:58:19 PM EST

The central United States will get a taste of winter later this week and into at least early next week as waves of arctic air plunge southward, allowing snow opportunities to arise.

In the wake of the storm rolling through the Midwest Monday night and on Election Day, the door will open for waves of arctic air to start blasting into the central U.S.

Blustery winds will usher the cold air first over northern parts of the Rockies and Plains on Election Day. Voters will have to bundle up as AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will be held to the single digits and teens across most of the Dakotas.

Snow creating slick spots on roads and sidewalks will further make Tuesday feel like a winter day over North Dakota.

The colder air will sweep to the south and east across more of the nation's midsection at midweek with yet another arctic blast to follow late in the week.

Temperatures on Thursday may be held 10 to 25 degrees below normal in many communities across the Plains and Great Lakes. Highs are expected to range from the 20s and 30s in the northern Plains and the 40s southward to the panhandle of Texas.

Download the free AccuWeather app to find out how cold it will get in your community.

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Not only will residents be turning up the thermostat and bundling up before heading outdoors, some may be dealing with snow.

"Colder air will be moving in, so that raises the possibility of snow," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brian Wimer.

One such snow opportunity may arise if a storm develops along the leading edge of the late-week arctic blast.

Snow may first drop across the northern Rocky Mountains at midweek with this system.

"The storm has the potential to deliver several inches of snow to the central High Plains on Wednesday night," Wimer said. "Depending on the strength of the storm, if it even takes shape, it is then possible for some snow to streak northeastward to the Great Lakes late in the week."

The strength and exact track of the storm will determine whether communities north of its track see only snowflakes or deal with a more disruptive snowfall.

Another scenario, however, is that little to no snow will accompany the late-week arctic press if the storm is too weak and never really organizes.

"Even if this snow event does not unfold, there can be other opportunities across the north-central United States next weekend or early the following week," according to Wimer.

The arctic blast may also expand its grip to the East next weekend.

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