Eastward warming and increased sunshine will highlight the nation's weatherat midweek, in time for St. Patrick's Day.Some of the best weather, plentifully sunny nearly everywhere, will span theEast and the Upper Midwest. Temperatures will reach the 50s to about 60F, orsignificantly above normal.
Across the South, meanwhile, it will still feel a bit cool after a rather coldstart. However, aside from a few showers in the Mississippi Valley, dry weatherwith partial sunshine will predominate.
The picture of plentiful sunshine and minimal precipitation will replicate overthe West. Strong sunshine will afford the Desert Southwest the nation's warmestweather with highs well into the 80s over southern Arizona to inland valleys ofSouthern California.
A weakening cold front will bring spotty rain and mountain snow to the interiorNorthwest as it chills Seattle and Portland.
Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews.