Cold weather will continue nearly nationwide during the next several days, although chilly conditions will begin to erode early next week.  Weekend temperatures may fall to 0°F or below in the upper Midwest, while freezes will extend deep into the South, sparing only the western Gulf Coast region and Florida’s peninsula.  During the next 5 days, precipitation across the country will be limited.  Notable exceptions will include a significant snow-squall event downwind of the Great Lakes, especially east of Lakes Erie and Ontario, and some rain across the Deep South, from the western Gulf Coast region to Florida’s peninsula. 

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