A trough of cold, dense air covers a large swath of the US from Texas to Atlantic. A significant storm system is tracking east on the southern edge of this trough through the southern tier this weekend bringing a mix of heavy rain, sleet, snow and freezing rain.
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
There are reports that Lubbock, TX has received 9.5 inches of snow.
AccuWeather
https://twitter.com/mikeseidel/status/1071421608747769861
https://twitter.com/JohnRichTX/status/1071388528980955137
While there’s a record dump of snow for parts of Texas including Lubbock, precip changes to rain and freezing rain across Tennessee before colder air digs back in from the north. As a result, parts of North Carolina.
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
As seen from the latest GFS ensemble 500mb height chart, the snowstorm departs the Carolinas and heights rise across the Lower 48 in response to them deepening over Alaska and down into the Gulf of Alaska.
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
The milder ‘above average’ air pulses it’s way eastwards next week but notice the areas of below normal popping up behind as this is more a return to milder but not necessarily solid ‘warmth’ coast to coast.
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
Credit: Tropical Tidbits
As you so well describe it may indeed warm up across the US in late Dec. The models hint at a possible return of cold air across the East/SouthEast for late in the coming week but that remains to be seen. Models do indicate a warmer than normal trend for later month. Guess it’s about time to wonder about January/February!