A hint of Spring Thursday with highs near 60 degrees. Unfortunately Spring is still 53 days out and temperatures look to come back to a sense of reality as we head off into the middle and end of next week.
It really all started Friday as the gusty northwest winds of change were upon us. Temperatures fell back into the 30s for highs and 20s for overnight lows. Even colder air arrived today (Saturday January 26, 2019) as temperatures started out in the teens with high pressure still in control.
The high will continue to swing east Sunday opening the door for much milder air with high temperature climbing toward 50 degrees. A few sprinkles are likely late in the afternoon as a weak disturbance drifts on by. Cooler temperatures are expected Monday before even bigger changes look to arrive.
Tuesday will be the transition day as strong cold front looks to roll our way with rain changing over to snow during the afternoon and evening hours. This quick change could actually become a true "Flash Freeze" as precipitation accumulates and temperatures rapidly fall. Minor accumulations are expected which could impact the Tuesday evening rush and early Wednesday morning commute. Accumulations have a chance to increase as modeling continues to try to phase energy at the coast with the upper energy from the front Tuesday into Wednesday.
Behind the wintry mixed bag comes a large dip in the jet stream, aided by a chunk of cold air that looks to break off the "Polar Vortex" to our north. This will send a prolonged cold snap into the area starting Wednesday and possibly continuing into the weekend ahead. Temperatures look to be in the teens and 20s for highs and single digits for lows. Wind chill factors look to be even worse with some readings below zero as the core of the cold comes down Thursday.
We'll continue to fine tune the details of the brutally cold forecast in the coming days ahead. For now though prepare for another round of cold and take precautions as necessary. Warm layers will be the tool of choice going into the end of next week.
