In South America, several weather hazards are indicated in the GFS 10-day precipitation outlook. Developing heavy rains last through the next 10 days east of Paraguay to the Southeast Brazil Coast. Meanwhile, Northern Argentina is dry and extremely hot through 10 days. The exception is an area of heavy thunderstorms in Central Argentina during the 6-10-day period.

Well-documented is the cold influence on North America and Eurasia climate by an ongoing intense negative arctic oscillation (-AO). Additionally, -AO has inspired a vigorous Southern Europe storm track most recently associated with Winter Storm “Kristin” and effects on Portugal and Spain. -AO continues well into February maintaining the energetic Southern Europe storm track.

The MJO was the catalyst to the aerial coverage and intensity of the January 24-25 weekend storm. The event also caused the East Pacific equatorial region to warm. Effective this week, oceanic La Nina has ended as all Nino SSTA regions have shifted to neutral phase.

The latest snowfall forecast indicates 18-24 inches of snow from Albany to Boston today and Monday. 10-18 inches of snow extends from Ohio across Pennsylvania. Amounts are cut back Maryland and southward due to sleet and freezing rain. The core of major ice accretion stretches from Eastern Louisiana to Kentucky, the Southern Appalachians, and Raleigh to Richmond.