A wave of arctic air is infiltrating the United States, but forecasters say it will soon clear out in a warmup that will send temperatures soaring before Christmas.
A winter storm is expected to bring light to moderate snow across much of the central and northeastern parts of the country, with up to 6 inches in some places, starting over the weekend of Dec. 13. Then, a blast of Arctic air thanks to the polar vortex will set in.
"If it is any consolation, the Arctic blast will leave quickly with the worst conditions only lasting a little over 24 hours," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said. "A significant warmup is in store for much of the central and eastern United States next week."
While the East deals with the bitter cold, states in the West are actually seeing high temperatures 15 to 25 degrees above average, the National Weather Service said.
The warmup will spread west to east, making it across the country by Dec. 18, the weather service said.
