April Temperature Outlook: Warmer Than Average Conditions Expected for Much of the United States

 Linda Lam

Published: March 31, 2021

A warm April is expected for much of the U.S., according to the latest update issued by The Weather Company, an IBM Business.

Temperatures will be the most above average in April from parts of the Rockies into the Northern and Central Plains and northern Great Lakes.

Areas along and closest to the West Coast will likely trend on either side of average in April.

Temperatures in the East are expected to be above average, although Florida will be near to slightly above average. Parts of the Northeast could be a bit cooler than indicated due to questions regarding how the upper-level pattern may evolve heading into mid-April.

"There is a cooler risk in the Northeast in April if North Atlantic blocking persists longer than expected," Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist with The Weather Company, noted.

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The blocking pattern referred to by Crawford is shown in the map below. In it, a ridge of high pressure over the North Atlantic near Greenland produces an amplified jet stream pattern, which could bring cooler temperatures southward from Canada into portions of the Northeast into the second week of April if it hangs around that long.

This blocking pattern coupled with the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation will bring the quick blast of near record cold to the East as April begins.

(MORE: Cold Blast to Start April in the East)

The jet stream pattern will bulge northward over the Plains in early April. This will result in a widespread area of warmer than average temperatures for at least the first half of the month.

Farther west, a southward dip in the jet stream may result in cooler temperatures for the West Coast in early April.

April's Typical Temperatures

Mild temperatures surge northward in April across the contiguous United States as we move deeper into spring.

Average highs in the 50s return for most of the northern tier, with 40s in northern Maine. Highs in the 80s become more common for parts of the Southwest, southern Texas and Florida.

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Above average temperatures in April for much of the U.S. suggest fairly mild to warm temperatures are ahead for much of the month.

Average April Highs

Many locations experience their last freeze of the season in April, although some locations in the northern tier, the higher elevations and the West wait until May.

Average low temperatures range in the 20s and 30s for much of the West, upper Midwest and Northeast. Lows in the 40s and 50s are typical for areas farther south, with 60s in central and southern Florida.

A milder than average April could bring fewer cold mornings but expect chilly conditions at times.

Average April Lows

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.