Lest we forget it is still March, wintery weather lingers in the Pacific Northwest and, thanks to a Canadian front, has re-invaded the Great Lakes and Northeast. Cloudy skies, chilly rain and snow showers will dominate those areas for the next few days while, between the dips, summer warmth persists across the Heartland, from the Central Plains to the Gulf Coast.
Despite the proximity of winter's advance, current forecasts suggest that neither trough will affect the mild (if not hot) spring that is entrenched from the Southern Rockies to the Southeast. Rather, the high-riding jet stream is expected to remain in Canada and warm air will return to New England by the end of the week.
After almost two weeks of summer-like weather, many under the central ridge of high pressure are tempted to plant the tomatoes. Nevertheless, here in Missouri, the historical risk of frost runs through mid April and we may yet encounter winter's final gasp before the heat is here to stay.
