Above-average temperatures are forecast for much of the country today with the exception of the Northern Tier, where cold air still hangs on with periods of light snow. 

LEAD POISONING IN BALD EAGLES RENEWS CALLS FOR LEAD BULLET ALTERNATIVES

U.S. forecast highs

U.S. forecast highs (Credit: Fox News)

An arctic cold front will start to bring temperatures back down again later this week. 

Western rain forecast

Western rain forecast (Credit: Fox News)

Rounds of heavy rain and mountain snow will move in as far south as California on Friday.

Western snow forecast

Western snow forecast (Credit: Fox News)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The system will then spread towards the Rockies and the Plains over the weekend.