Upside-Down Forecast: Parts of Dakotas Could Be Warmer Than Southeast Early Next Week

 Jonathan Belles

Published: December 4, 2020

Temperatures could be warmer in the Dakotas than in parts of the Southeast early next week as the jet stream takes an impressive scenic route through North America.

Over the weekend, a donut high-pressure ridge is expected to take shape over the northern Rockies, which will push the jet stream northward into Canada. To the east, the jet stream will continue to drop southward over the East through the first half of next week.

This amplified jet stream pattern will allow for big temperature changes as the it peaks on Tuesday.

Near the dome of high pressure, temperatures will be 15 to 25 degrees warmer than average, which brings cities from Montana to the Dakotas and Nebraska into the 50s and 60s for highs.

On the other hand, temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees cooler than average in the Southeast as colder air from Canada surges southward behind this weekend's storm system in the Northeast.

(MORE: Weekly Planner)

Tuesday afternoon, temperatures in portions of the Northern Plains could be as much as 10 degrees warmer than in the Southeast.

The average high on Dec. 8 in Jacksonville, Florida (68 degrees), is typically 31 degrees warmer than Rapid City, South Dakota (37 degrees).

Most impressively, this may all occur under relatively clear skies, meaning the cooler air in the Southeast won't be rain-cooled.

Forecast High Temperatures

This pattern may result in a couple of daily warm records in the Dakotas, where temperatures can reach the low 60s, but widespread record highs are not expected.

Unfortunately, this pattern will also likely result in a second round of Santa Ana winds in Southern California early next week following the current round of strong winds and dry air, which has helped spread the Bond Fire in Orange County.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.