The storm front that has provided a rainy respite for firefighters in California was beginning its roll across the nation Tuesday, forecast to spread rain, snow and ice along a 2,600-mile stretch from the Southwest to Northeast by the weekend, meteorologists say.

Last week’s winter freeze, the second widespread freeze in the first three weeks of January, appeared to follow a pattern that weather scientists call a “McFarland Signature.” This refers to an air flow in the upper levels of the atmosphere,

Temperatures will plummet by up to 40 degrees this weekend as an arctic blast spreads across much of the U.S., including the Deep South.

Cold temperatures continue to shape South Texas weather on Thursday, but we'll see a gradual warming trend in the coming days and through the weekend.

At the height of the recent cold wave in January, subzero temperatures were noted across the Great Plains and as far south as the northern Panhandle of Texas. According to USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey,

After descending over the Rockies and Great Plains, forecasters said the arctic ... See pictures of snow blanketing Florida, Texas and more Tuesday A major climate pattern shift has finally ...