Record-Breaking Heat Sweeps Across the Eastern United States

A ridge of high pressure is bringing unseasonably warm temperatures across much of the United States, sending temperatures above average. Another round of records was set again! Chicago had a record high of 73°, beating the old record of 69°. Over 100 new record highs will be possible this week.

The unusual warmth is being driven by a large dome of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, which is allowing warm air from the southern U.S. and Gulf region to spread across the country. This pattern not only boosts daytime temperatures but also keeps overnight lows unusually mild, limiting the amount of cooling that normally occurs this time of year. In several cities, early morning temperatures have been closer to typical afternoon highs for early March.

Later in the week, high pressure sets up back on the West Coast, bringing temperatures soaring.

Highs will warm into the 80's and 90s, which will start to threaten records starting Thursday in places like Los Angeles