Eastern Cornbelt:
Clear, mild weather conditions were reported across much of the Eastern Cornbelt during the week, with highs reaching the upper-40s and mid-50s and lows dropping to the mid-20s and low-30s in many locations. Cooler weather and stronger rain chances were in the weekend forecast, however.
Western Cornbelt:
Unseasonably warm temperatures were reported across Iowa as the week progressed, with highs reaching the mid-50s in many locations. Rain chances were higher for the coming weekend, but forecasts were not optimistic that precipitation levels would be sufficient to alleviate the ongoing drought in the state.
Similar conditions were reported in Nebraska and Missouri, where mild temperatures and dry weather dominated at mid-month, though scattered showers were expected in western Missouri by the end of the week.
Southern Plains:
Rain was reported across much of the Southern Plains as the week advanced, with some areas seeing a wintry mix of precipitation.
An inch or two of rain was expected in western Kansas and the Oklahoma panhandle on Dec. 13-14. A winter weather advisory was posted for some locations before warmer weather moves in by the weekend, with temperatures expected to climb into the 50s.
A winter storm warning was also issued for parts of northeastern and north-central New Mexico late in the week, with forecasts warning of up to 8-16 inches of snow at elevations below 7,500 feet and 12-20 inches at higher elevations.
Rain chances increased in western, northern, and central Texas as the week progressed, with many areas seeing a half-inch to an inch of precipitation and highs topping out in the mid-50s to low-60s.
South Central:
The previous weekend brought strong storms and tornado activity to many parts of the South Central region, but drier, warmer weather prevailed for much of the region at mid-month.
At least six deaths were reported in Tennessee as a series of tornadoes pounded the state on Dec. 9, while steady rain and cold temperatures moved through central and eastern Kentucky on Dec. 10. Cooler weather and strong storms also hit Louisiana over the weekend, while Batesville, Miss., saw baseball-sized hail and 60 mph winds on Dec. 9.
Southeast:
Weekend storms produced damaging winds and heavy rain in parts of northern Florida, the Carolinas, and Virginia. Calmer weather prevailed for most of the following week, along with cooler temperatures, with highs only reaching the 50s and nighttime lows approaching freezing.
Forecasts once again warned of heavy rain by the coming weekend for many parts of the Southeast, along with possible flooding, strong winds, and coastal impacts.