Spring fever, anyone?
Folks across the central, eastern and southern United States are about to experiencepotentially record warmthover the next week or so as temperatures skyrocket.
"Enjoy the springtime warmth − maybe even 'heat' − with temperatures pushing into the 80s for more than 100 million Americans over the next 7-10 days," said Weather Trader meteorologist Ryan Maue in an email to USA TODAY.
In an online forecast, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Matt Benz said "the pattern from late this week into the weekend will give tens of millions of people in parts of the Midwest and Northeast a serious case of spring fever."
This "false spring" will be short-lived, however, as another unwelcome visit from Old Man Winter − in the form ofthe dreaded polar vortex− is in the offing for later next week. "We will see (hopefully) winter's final Arctic blast move through the Lower 48 [in] middle March," Maue said.
Lightning, tornadoes and wild storms: Incredible weather photos
Is this a 'false spring?'
"This can be classified as a false spring coming up, especially from the central Plains to the East Coast," said AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok in an email to USA TODAY.
False spring is a period of unseasonably warm weather, which can trick us into thinking winter is over, according toHomes and Gardens.
But after a false spring, the temperatures can go back to seasonal averages, or even below average.
This can be frustrating for anyone, but can also cause problems for gardeners.
How does 'false spring' affect plants?
The warm temperatures can cause plants and flowers to start blooming weeks before they normally do, but the fresh leaves and blossoms can be damaged when temperatures plummet once more.
This happens because plants are adapted to survive freezing temperatures when they happen gradually and the plant has time to prepare, but not to temperatures that plummet in a day or two,according to the Urban Ecology Center.
How warm will it be?
"Temperature departures can range anywhere from 20-30 degrees above average, record levels in some areas, late this week into early next week, especially from the mid-Mississippi Valley to the Appalachians," Pastelok said.
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The unseasonably warm temperatures will continue to make headlines through the remainder of the work week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration'sWeather Prediction Center said in an online forecast. "A broad area of well above-normal warmth is expected from Texas into the Southeast, with afternoon highs reaching the mid-70s to mid-80s."
The warmth will extend northward into the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley, where highs in the upper 60s to upper 70s are anticipated, the Weather Prediction Center said.
One notable caveat involves a strong backdoor cold front expected to press southward from the Northeast, the Weather Prediction Center said. "This boundary may create a sharp temperature gradient from northern Virginia to New Jersey, with areas north and east of the front potentially much cooler.
"The broader Northeast is likely to remain on the chilly side, as low-to mid-level flow appears insufficient to fully dislodge the entrenched cool air mass."
Looming Arctic blast, courtesy of the polar vortex
Forecasters said the next major risk of Arctic air will not be until middle of next week.
"A couple of strong storms mid- and late next week can bring Arctic air into the Plains, Midwest and eventually the East," Pastelok said. "Temperatures [could] drop to 10-18 degrees below average."
Maue said that "by the middle of next week, the entire polar vortex shifts southward closer to the Canadian border with the potential for 'lobes' of cold Arctic air — even for mid-March — to sweep through the Lower 48."
When is the first day of spring?
Thefirst day of springdepends on who you ask.
Meteorological spring occurs during the months of March, April and May each year. So, for meteorologists predicting the weather, spring started on March 1, 2026.
But for those marking the change of the seasons by the celestial bodies in the sky, astronomical spring begins a little later. On March 20, 2026, when the sun is directly over the equator, also known as the vernal equinox, astronomical spring begins.
Contributing: Jana Hayes, The Oklahoman
Doyle Rice is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, focusing on weather and climate.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'False spring' is in the forecast, but polar vortex could soon return