Central Zone Weather: Rain to Snow & Plunging Temps This Week

The Central Zone is set for a significant weather transformation this week, impacting major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, and even stretching west to Denver and Cheyenne. A widespread pattern of rain on Thursday will give way to dramatically colder temperatures and snow chances for many, while strong winds will be a persistent feature across the region. Residents from Minneapolis to Cincinnati should prepare for a dynamic forecast, featuring everything from mild afternoon highs to bitter wind chills.

Central Zone Weather Alerts Map

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Central Zone Weather: Brace for a Major Shift from Rain to Snow and Cold

Central Zone Weather Overview

This week, the Central Zone is experiencing a notable change in its weather pattern. Today, many areas are enjoying partly to mostly sunny conditions with mild temperatures. However, a significant system is on its way, bringing widespread rain on Thursday, which will then transition to rain and snow, or even scattered snow showers, as a strong cold front sweeps through. This will lead to a dramatic drop in temperatures and gusty winds, especially by Thursday night and into Friday.

Current Severe Weather Alerts

As of this update, there are no severe weather alerts issued for the Central Zone or any of its major cities. However, residents are advised to stay informed as conditions can change rapidly.

Detailed City Forecasts

Chicago, IL Forecast

Chicago will see a mostly sunny afternoon with a high near 44°F, though temperatures will fall to around 38°F. Tonight, drizzle is likely after 3 AM, with a low around 34°F and south winds gusting up to 30 mph. Thursday brings rain and drizzle before 4 PM, then a chance of rain and snow, with a high near 50°F before temperatures plummet to 34°F in the afternoon. Winds will be strong, gusting up to 40 mph. Thursday night expects scattered snow showers and a frigid low of 12°F, with wind chill values as low as -6°F.

Indianapolis, IN Forecast

Indianapolis enjoys a partly sunny afternoon with a high near 48°F. Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 35°F, and south-southeast winds gusting up to 22 mph. Thursday features likely rain, with a slight chance of thunderstorms, and a high near 52°F. Rainfall amounts could be between a half and three-quarters of an inch. Thursday night, expect scattered rain and snow showers, and a cold low around 20°F.

Detroit, MI Forecast

Detroit experiences a mostly sunny afternoon with a high near 40°F. Tonight, it turns mostly cloudy with a low around 26°F, and south winds gusting up to 26 mph. Thursday will bring rain after 7 AM, with a high near 45°F and south winds gusting up to 32 mph. New rainfall amounts could be between a quarter and half an inch. Thursday night, rain will transition to rain and snow, with a low around 20°F and southwest winds gusting up to 31 mph.

Cleveland, OH Forecast

Cleveland will be partly sunny this afternoon with a high near 42°F. Tonight, it's partly cloudy with a low around 27°F, and south winds gusting up to 26 mph. Thursday starts partly sunny, then light rain is likely after noon, with a high near 50°F and south winds gusting up to 43 mph. Thursday night, rain continues before 4 AM, then a chance of snow, with a low around 20°F and southwest winds gusting up to 40 mph.

Cincinnati, OH Forecast

Cincinnati sees a mostly sunny afternoon with a high near 44°F. Tonight, it's partly cloudy with a low around 30°F. Thursday brings partly sunny conditions followed by rain after noon, with a high near 53°F and south winds gusting up to 35 mph. New rainfall amounts could be between a quarter and half an inch. Thursday night, rain continues before 1 AM, then a slight chance of snow showers, with a low around 20°F.

St. Louis, MO Forecast

St. Louis enjoys a sunny afternoon with a high near 58°F. Tonight, mostly cloudy conditions give way to isolated rain showers between 2 AM and 3 AM, with a low around 48°F. Thursday expects rain showers before 2 PM, then partly sunny skies, with a high near 57°F. Thursday night clears up to mostly clear with a low around 23°F.

Kansas City, MO Forecast

Kansas City has a sunny afternoon with a high near 54°F. Tonight, mostly cloudy skies lead to a chance of light rain after 3 AM, with a low around 43°F and southwest winds gusting up to 35 mph. Thursday brings a chance of light rain before 8 AM, then mostly sunny conditions, with a high near 51°F before temperatures fall to 39°F in the afternoon. West-northwest winds will be very strong, gusting up to 45 mph. Thursday night is clear with a low around 24°F.

Omaha, NE Forecast

Omaha is mostly sunny this afternoon with a high near 49°F and south winds gusting up to 24 mph. Tonight, light rain is expected after 11 PM, with a low around 36°F and southwest winds gusting up to 35 mph. Thursday sees a slight chance of light snow then a chance of snow showers, with a high near 37°F before falling to 22°F in the afternoon. West-northwest winds will be extremely strong, gusting up to 47 mph. Thursday night is mostly clear with a low around 14°F.

Minneapolis, MN Forecast

Minneapolis is mostly sunny this afternoon with a high near 35°F and south-southeast winds gusting up to 40 mph. Tonight, rain is expected after 8 PM, with a low around 33°F and south-southwest winds gusting up to 50 mph. Thursday brings a chance of rain before 8 AM, then light snow likely and patchy blowing snow, with a high near 34°F before falling to 11°F in the afternoon. Wind chill values could be as low as -11°F, with winds gusting up to 50 mph. Thursday night, a slight chance of snow before 7 PM, then mostly cloudy and a frigid low around -2°F, with wind chills as low as -17°F.

Madison, WI Forecast

Madison is sunny this afternoon with a high near 35°F. Tonight, mostly cloudy conditions will lead to light rain likely after 3 AM, with a low around 31°F and south winds gusting up to 30 mph. Thursday brings rain before 2 PM, then a chance of snow, with a high near 42°F before falling to 32°F in the afternoon. Southwest winds will gust up to 40 mph. Thursday night, a chance of snow before 9 PM, then mostly cloudy and a very cold low around 7°F, with wind chill values as low as -11°F.

Des Moines, IA Forecast

Des Moines is partly sunny this afternoon with a high near 40°F. Tonight, mostly cloudy skies lead to light rain after midnight, with a low around 33°F and south-southwest winds gusting up to 26 mph. Thursday brings a chance of light rain before 9 AM, then a chance of snow, with a high near 38°F before falling to 20°F in the afternoon. Wind chill values could be as low as 2°F, with west winds gusting up to 45 mph. Thursday night, partly cloudy and a very cold low around 8°F, with wind chill values as low as -3°F.

Denver, CO Forecast

Denver has a chance of rain showers after 5 PM this afternoon, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 69°F. West-southwest winds will be strong, gusting up to 46 mph. Tonight, a chance of rain showers before 11 PM, then mostly clear, with a low around 31°F. Thursday is sunny with a high near 50°F. Thursday night is partly cloudy with a low around 34°F.

Cheyenne, WY Forecast

Cheyenne will experience rain and snow showers this afternoon, mostly cloudy with a high near 43°F. West-southwest winds will be exceptionally strong, 30 to 35 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Tonight, a chance of snow showers before 11 PM, then partly cloudy, with a low around 18°F and west winds gusting up to 55 mph. Thursday brings a slight chance of snow showers after 11 AM, partly sunny, with a high near 37°F. Thursday night, a slight chance of snow showers before 11 PM, mostly cloudy, with a low around 30°F.

Fargo, ND Forecast

Fargo is mostly cloudy this afternoon with a slight chance of rain after 4 PM, and a high near 38°F. South winds will gust up to 33 mph. Tonight, rain before 1 AM, then a chance of snow, mostly cloudy, with a low around 4°F before rising to 21°F overnight. West-southwest winds will be very strong, gusting up to 49 mph. Thursday brings snow likely and areas of blowing snow, with a high near 24°F before falling to 3°F in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as -21°F are expected, with northwest winds gusting up to 59 mph. Thursday night, patchy blowing snow before 8 PM, then partly cloudy and a brutal low around -8°F, with wind chill values as low as -22°F.

Looking Ahead

The weekend will see a continued battle between cold air and gradual warming. Many areas will remain cold on Friday following Thursday's system, with some sunshine returning. Temperatures will rebound slightly into Saturday for some, but another round of colder air and slight chances of precipitation are possible early next week. Stay tuned for further updates as this dynamic weather pattern evolves.

This post is created using the public data provided by the National Weather Service. Please check the Original source for more information.

Check Other Zone Forecasts:

Eastern Zone | Southern Zone | Western Zone

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