Jan Wesner Childs
The weekend is here and we’ve got a lot on tap weather-wise, around the country and even into the tropics.
We asked a group of our expert meteorologists for their take on the big weather stories, from warmth to rain to cold and anything else on their radar.
A big chill is headed to parts of the country. Plus, a winter storm is making its way cross-country. What strikes you as the most interesting aspect of this turn toward colder weather?
Jon Erdman: Probably the most abrupt change will be in Texas and other parts of the Southern Plains. It’s the Lone Star State's hottest year-to-date on record but by Monday, highs won’t get out of the 40s as far south as San Antonio. And parts of Dallas-Ft. Worth could see a freeze by Wednesday morning. That usually doesn’t happen there until around Thanksgiving.
Chris Dolce: One thing this weekend will demonstrate is an example of what meteorologists call a sharp cold front. As an example, for a time early Sunday afternoon, Waco, Texas, could be near 80 degrees, while around 180 miles west in Abilene, it could be in the 40s. You might have to make a wardrobe change if you were traveling that route. These sharp temperature contrasts have always fascinated me and they usually occur in fall, winter and spring when anomalously warm temperatures precede a big cold outbreak like the one spreading across much of the country now.
Linda Lam: I will be watching to see where accumulating snow falls this weekend. Areas from Denver to southern Minnesota may see a coating of snow, or even several inches piling up and this would be the first snow of the season there.
It seems to be kind of a mixed bag for the rest of the country. Who’s going to have the best weather, and who needs to prepare to take a turn for the worse?
Domenica Davis: Much of the Southeast gets by with another dry weekend and the opportunity to stay in summer clothes. But spoiler alert: soak up the warmth while you can. Jackets will be needed by the middle of next week.
Linda: To me, the most interesting weather story this weekend is the incredible warmth in the East and South. Numerous record highs and warm lows are possible so it won’t feel like the end of October. I am not a fan of cold weather so another weekend of comfortable conditions with no jacket needed is perfect for enjoying some outdoor Halloween activities.
Jonathan Belles: I think the West will have some of the best weather, but unlike Linda I am a cold weather fan. In general, though, I think the best weather will be from the Northeast on Saturday to the Southeast and California for the whole weekend where temperatures will be in the 70s and 80s.
Chris: The Northeast is facing what I've always referred to as a "weekend split" forecast. That's because Saturday looks great to get outdoors with near-record high temperatures. But, a front approaching Sunday will bring rain to parts of the region, which from a statistical point of view means New York City could have its eighth consecutive wet weekend.
People walk through the morning rain by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 in New York City.Much of the country might be plunging headfirst into winter, but for those of us who live along the East Coast and in the Gulf states, it’s still very much hurricane season. Anything happening in the tropics we should be aware of?
Jonathan: Both sides of Central America will need to be watched for tropical development this weekend into early next week. After Otis' devastating impact in Mexico, we initially thought that another tropical system could nudge into southern Mexico, but now it appears that impacts from that system will stay down the coast in countries like El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Heavy rain is the likeliest issue for those neighbors for now. In the Caribbean, another area of disturbed weather could bring some additional moisture to southern Florida by late this weekend.
Jon: For kicks, I’ll also be watching Tammy this weekend. Not because it will be a land threat, but simply marveling that this “zombie storm” transitioned from a borderline major hurricane Wednesday to a low attached to a cold front the following day, then back to a tropical storm Friday.
MORE ON WEATHER.COM
-What Our Experts Say About Hurricane Otis
-October Will End With Widespread Cold Snap For Much Of United States
-Your Guide To When The Average First Accumulating Snow Of The Season Arrives
Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.
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.
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