Eastern US Forecast: Unsettled Weather Expected as High Pressure Will Bring Warmth Across West

Unsettled weather is in store for the eastern United States in the coming days as warm weather continues across the western half of the country, according to the latest weather forecast of the National Weather Service (NWS). The widespread warmth across the West US is caused by a "large ridge of high pressure" which is expected to further produce warm and dry weather conditions throughout the remainder of the week.

Now, the high air pressure in the West Coast, along with an Atlantic coastal system, is also causing the potential unsettled weather in the East Coast, where heavy rain and strong winds are possible into the weekend. The recent US weather forecast comes after the NWS issued a short-range outlook earlier this week that warm weather or warm temperatures will return in the eastern US as cool airmass in the nation moderates.

Unsettled Weather Forecast

The NWS at 4:00 a.m. EDT (local time) on Thursday, October 19, issued its latest short-range forecast, stating that the cool and quiet weather pattern hovering over the eastern US will become "increasingly unsettled" amid the dry and very warm weather across the western US. The forecast is valid until Saturday, October 21.

Under the weather outlook, the weather service mentions that other factors affect the unsettled weather in the East Coast, including an Alberta clipper and an Atlantic coastal system. The interaction of these weather phenomena can bring rainy conditions across the Eastern Seaboard, especially in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions.

Alberta Clipper

The Alberta clipper, also called an Alberta low, is a fast-moving winter weather system that hails from the Canadian Rockies. This weather event usually brings winter-like conditions, including snow, cold temperatures, and high winds, across the northern US.

Based on the NWS forecast, the Alberta clipper is currently over the upper Midwest region of the US and will shift in an eastward direction to the Great Lakes, where it will bring rainy conditions through Friday, October 20.

Atlantic Coastal System

Another weather event that will contribute to the unsettled weather in the eastern US is an upper-level trough that interacts with the Alberta clipper and with a low-pressure wave off the coast of the southeastern US, according to the NWS.

The US weather agency adds that an Atlantic moisture linked with the coastal system will move into the East Coast and spread to the New England region, where localized rainfall, potential thunderstorms, and gusty winds may occur.

Flood Threat

While extreme flooding is not expected for the upcoming unsettled weather, some areas and states in the eastern US are still vulnerable to raging floodwaters, with New York City being the most impacted state by deadly floods.

Due to flood risks, US weather authorities remind the public that almost half of all flash flood deaths are vehicle-related. With this, authorities warn motorists not to enter a flooded roadway and back away in cases of rapidly rising waters.