Weather

Arctic air will produce precipitation Thursday from the lower Mississippi Valley to New England. Rain will fall from southern New England to northern Louisiana and northeastern Texas. As colder air moves in, rain will change to snow, with some light accumulation from parts of the Ohio Valley and southern Appalachians to southern New England. Up to a few inches may fall on parts of the central Appalachians and central and northern New England where snowfall is heavier and persists longer into Thursday night. Mild air will linger along the Gulf Coast and parts of the East Coast.

Much of the north-central states can expect a frigid day, with highs in the single digits, teens and 20s. It will feel 10 to 30 degrees colder in many spots. An arctic, high-pressure system is projected to settle over the Dakotas.

In the West, clouds and mainly light snow will stretch from northwestern Kansas and Colorado to western Montana and northern Idaho. The snow will fall along the boundary between arctic air to the northeast and Pacific air to the southwest. Much of the Southwest can expect a dry, warm day. Rain showers will dampen parts of western Oregon and much of western Washington.

FOCUS: Snow to Accompany Cold Air in the East

The East Coast will briefly turn milder Thursday, before a cold front arrives by Friday. The front will bring rain that will change to snow. Accumulation may reach several inches in the central Appalachians and a few inches in parts of New England.