Major warm-up heading to hard-hit South

The major winter blast that has gripped the nation for the last few weeks is finally lifting.

Over 3,000 daily cold temperature records were shattered and 79 all-time cold records were set between Feb. 12 and Feb. 17, according to the National Weather Service.

Dallas reported 139 consecutive hours at freezing or below freezing temperatures, which tied for the city's seventh-longest cold streak on record. Waco, Texas, spent 205 consecutive hours at or below freezing temperatures, hitting a new all-time record.

In Monroe, Louisiana, an all-time cold duration was broken with 141 consecutive hours below freezing.

But warmer weather is heading to much of the U.S., including the South, which is suffering a water and power crisis in the wake of this week's storms.

On Saturday the temperature will climb to 48 degrees in Dallas, 60 degrees in Houston and 62 degrees in Del Rio, Texas.

By Wednesday, the temperature is forecast to climb to 71 degrees in Houston and 69 degrees in Dallas.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, a quick hit of snow will blast the upper Midwest, including Chicago.

The snow will arrive in the Great Lakes and parts of the Appalachians by Monday morning.

By Monday afternoon, some of that snow will make its way into the Northeast. Major cities may see some wet snow, but nothing too impactful.

Most areas will only see 1 to 3 inches of snow, while parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and New York may get 3 to 6 inches.

There is some concern that lake effect snow could bring over 6 inches of snow to parts of upstate New York through Tuesday.