COLD WELCOME FOR 2014
Conditions turn quiet as we welcome the New Year, but it stays quite cold. The flurries across the region come to a close as we enter the evening hours. The snow squalls to the northwest begin to taper as well. The clouds even break apart a bit just in time for the countdown! It’s frigid, with temperatures ranging in the 20s and wind chills in the teens. The clouds thicken up a bit once again as we near daybreak. Overnight lows reach the upper teens for some, lower to middle 20s elsewhere. Wednesday, a warm front passes to our north, keeping light snow showers north of the region as well. With the exception of a few flurries it’s a dry day. There’s even a chance for a little more sunshine, especially close to the state border. Highs reach the middle to upper 30s.
SNOW FOLLOWED BY ARCTIC BLAST
Models are coming into much better agreement with what to expect for Thursday into Friday’s snow. First of all, it does not look to be a major event for us. An area of low pressure approaching from the west enters the picture Thursday. It tries to transfer its energy to a developing coastal low, but the coastal low will likely be too far away, and it will not develop quickly enough to bring major snow for our area. So here’s the breakdown: Light snow likely begins Thursday afternoon out west and overspreads the rest of the region through the evening. There will likely be some heavier periods at times, especially along north and northeastern parts of the area as the system wraps up overnight Thursday. The area should be dry by daybreak on Friday. Totals look like they stay on the lighter side of things for us. Right now, it looks like a coating to two inches of snow for most. A few spots could pick up an extra inch or two, especially to the north and northeastern parts of the area. Some changes could still come since the event is still two days away, but no major changes should take place. Friday in the wake of the storm system, cold, arctic air plunges into the region. Highs only reach the teens Friday. Overnight Friday, lows fall into the single digits!
NEXT SYSTEM
Highs rebound a little under some added sunshine Saturday, but are still well below seasonal average in the upper 20s. Sunday the moderating trend continues as a southwesterly flow kicks in. Highs reach the middle to upper 30s. Clouds build ahead of our next weather maker, which looks to bring a mess on Monday. Right now, it looks like a mainly rain mess. We’ll keep an eye on developing trends. Models want to bring down another round of frigid, arctic air Tuesday, so we could see high temperatures fall into the teens once again!
Happy New Year everyone! Have a safe one, and wishing lots of happiness in the year to come!
-Andrea Michaels