New Year, New Weather Pattern

The year 2015 ended on an abnormally mild note with the local area experiencing the warmest December (43.9 average temperature) in recorded history. In addition it was the second least snowy December in history with 0.3 of an inch accumulating. Unfortunately areas to our south including Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee experienced violent tornadoes the last week of December which claimed twenty-four lives. The beginning of this month has brought more typical winter weather with the first true Arctic air mass over the area and lake effect snow. Milder air is in the cards as the week comes to a close but Arctic air and snow will return to the area starting the beginning of next week.

Currently the weather locally is cool and quiet. Clear skies allowed the early morning cold to be replaced with temperatures a few degrees above normal. Tomorrow morning will not be nearly as cold as this morning and high temperatures will rise a few more degrees into the lower forties (40’s). Today a strong storm system is moving into the West Coast with heavy precipitation.

On Friday morning a warm front will be approaching the area. Rain will develop during day as temperatures rise well into the forties (40’s). A storm system will organize over the Southern Plains and will move towards the Great Lakes. On Saturday the area will remain in the warm sector with rain falling occasional during the day. High temperatures will be in the upper forties (40’s).

On Sunday the first cold front will move through early in the day sending colder air into the region. A second cold front will move through later in the day with the Arctic air behind it. Rain showers will transition to snow showers with lake effect snow possible Sunday night into Monday. Early high temperatures on Sunday will be around forty (40) but will fall into the twenties (20’s) during the day. Monday and Tuesday will be cold and brisk as cold air will flow south out of Canada. Lake effect snow will be probable with the location dependent on the wind direction. High temperatures will at most rise into the lower twenties (20’s).

On Wednesday a quick moving system will pass through the area with a general light snow and a reinforcing show of arctic air. High temperatures will remain in the twenties.

The cold weather should remain for the rest of next week with a return to normal temperatures for the following week.