If you stepped outside this morning and thought, "Hey, January isn't so bad," you aren't alone. Honestly, today—Tuesday, January 13, 2026—is a bit of a weather anomaly for a lot of the country. It is surprisingly mild, especially in the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast, where temperatures are hovering in the high 40s and low 50s.
But don't let the sunshine fool you.
Meteorologists are watching a massive shift in the atmosphere. While you're enjoying the 49°F peak in places like Baltimore or the 56°F warmth in parts of Georgia, a beastly arctic front is currently gathering strength over Canada. It’s basically waiting for the door to open so it can come screaming down into the lower 48.
Breaking Down What's Gonna Be the Weather Today Across the Map
The reality of what's gonna be the weather today depends entirely on your zip code, but the national theme is "transition." We are stuck between a departing ridge of high pressure and a looming trough that’s about to make things very messy.
In the Southwest, specifically places like Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, it’s practically summer. Highs are hitting the upper 70s today, and they’re projected to climb into the 80s by tomorrow. It’s about 12 degrees above the seasonal norm. If you're there, you've got it made.
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Compare that to the Upper Midwest. Minnesota and Wisconsin are already feeling the leading edge of the cold. They're seeing a messy mix of rain and snow as a low-pressure system slides through. It’s not a blizzard yet, but it’s the appetizer for the main course coming later this week.
The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast: The "Fake Spring"
For those of us on the East Coast, today is what I like to call "Fake Spring."
- Baltimore/DC: Mostly sunny and mild. Highs near 50°F.
- New York/New Jersey: Highs reaching 46°F to 48°F.
- Pennsylvania: Partly sunny with increasing clouds by the evening.
It feels nice, right? You might even be tempted to leave the heavy parka at home. Don't. By tomorrow evening, this "mild" air gets shoved out of the way by an arctic blast. We're looking at a transition from rain to snow overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning.
Why the Jet Stream is Acting Up Right Now
The science behind today’s weather is actually pretty cool if you're a nerd for meteorology. We are currently in a weak La Niña phase. According to the latest NOAA Climate Prediction Center updates for early 2026, La Niña is starting to transition toward "ENSO-neutral."
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What does that mean for your commute today?
It means the jet stream is incredibly wavy. Instead of a nice, straight line of wind keeping the cold air up North, it’s dipping and diving. Today, the ridge is over the West, pushing warm air up from the South. But John Baranick and other lead meteorologists at DTN have noted that "clipper systems" are moving down from Canada. These clippers are fast-moving, and they’re the reason our mild Tuesday is going to vanish so quickly.
Hawaii and the "Kona Low" Threat
Even the islands aren't escaping the drama. There’s a High Surf Warning for the North and West shores of Kauai and Oahu through this evening. A "Kona Low" is a possibility later this week, which could bring heavy rain and high winds. If you're in Lihue or Honolulu, today is your day to secure the patio furniture before the south winds pick up to 20 mph tomorrow.
The Fire Danger Nobody is Talking About
Here’s a weird detail: despite it being January, the National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for parts of Central Georgia today. Why? High fire danger.
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The combination of those 56-degree temperatures, low humidity (around 25-30% in some spots), and dry winter brush makes for a dangerous mix. It’s a reminder that winter weather isn't just about shoveling snow; it’s about the dry air that comes with these high-pressure systems.
What You Should Actually Do Today
Since we know the "mild" part of the week is a limited-time offer, there are a few things you should handle before the arctic front hits tomorrow night.
- Check your tires: Cold air makes tire pressure drop. If you’re at 32 psi today, you might be at 28 psi by Thursday morning when the temp hits 20°F.
- Clean the gutters: The rain-to-snow transition predicted for Wednesday night is notorious for causing ice dams. If your gutters are full of autumn leaves, that rain won't drain before it freezes into a block of ice.
- Stock the "Short-Term" Pantry: We aren't looking at a week-long lockout, but a quick dusting of snow on top of frozen rain makes Thursday morning’s commute a nightmare. Grab the milk and bread today so you can stay off the roads when the ice hits.
The high-pressure ridge currently over the Southwest is going to be "beaten westward" as the week progresses. This means the warmth in California and Arizona will hold, but the rest of the country is about to get a very cold wake-up call.
Enjoy the sun while it's out. By Thursday, the "feels like" temperatures in the Northeast will be in the teens, and that 50-degree Tuesday will feel like a distant memory. Stay weather-aware and keep an eye on the radar starting tomorrow afternoon.