11.  Intense solar storms may bring a dazzling display of colors to the nighttime sky in parts of the contiguous states the next few evenings.

12.  Last year, Alaska had one of its coldest Decembers on record while the contiguous eastern states had one of its warmest Decembers.

13.  Meanwhile, tranquil weather will affect the contiguous states Saturday as the jet stream retreats north to the Canadian border.

14.  Often the site of the strongest winds in the contiguous states, the unusual tranquil weather accompanied a strong zone of high pressure.

15.  Record warmth in Alaska often means that arctic air has been dislodged and is heading toward the contiguous states.

16.  Several intense low-pressure systems should dominate Canada, which will lead to a flow of milder air from the Pacific spreading over the contiguous states.

17.  Several jet stream disturbances crossing the contiguous states will cause much of the nation to be shrouded in cloud cover.

18.  Strong high pressure positioned over the West will limit the flow of moist air into the contiguous states Tuesday.

19.  Sunday, temperatures will stay in the teens over northern Minnesota as Arctic air starts to make inroads on the contiguous states.

20.  Temperature extremes in different directions in the contiguous eastern states and Alaska are not uncommon.