U.S. weekly jobless claims, an update of fourth-quarter U.S. GDP and an update of the U.S. Drought Monitor are all set for 7:30 a.m. CST Thursday. The U.S. Energy Department's natural gas storage report will be out at 9:30 a.m., followed by energy inventories at 10 a.m. Traders continue to keep a close watch on the latest weather forecasts.
Weather
A long-duration winter storm is winding down Thursday, though moderate snow will still occur across portions of the northern Midwest into the Northeast. Winds remain blustery in some areas where the snow fell, causing some blowing and drifting of the snow along with occasional blizzard conditions. Very cold temperatures have settled in briefly across portions of the Plains and Upper Midwest through Friday before moderating.