Historic Cold??

The area escaped much of the predicted snow from the most recent storm system as the low pressure system slowed the front down and tracked directly through the Cleveland area instead of moving through Pennsylvania. The result was that the heavy snowfall, over 12 inches in places, fell well to our west through Indiana, Illinois,Michigan and Northwestern Ohio. The lake effect snow has not been impressive as the winds have been mostly out of the west and are now becoming southwest driving the snow into Western New York. That being said, the area is not missing out on the cold air. After reaching an official high of 39 degrees in Cleveland yesterday, the temperatures have now fallen to negative three (-3)  at 4pm and are continuing to fall. The temperature Tuesday morning will be around negative twelve (-12) which will be the coldest Cleveland has been since reaching negative thirteen (-13) back on January 16, 2009. The high on Tuesday will struggle to rise above zero (0) and if it fails to do so, that will be the first time that has happened since January 1994. It is yet to be determined if the temperatures associated with this cold wave are historic but they at least will be noteworthy.  Temperatures will moderate the rest of the week as the cold air moves off to the north and east. A weak system will move through the area on Thursday spreading light snows across the area.  Once that system moves out, temperatures will continue to moderate with highs reaching the low 40's by Saturday.

The current weather map shows the center of the low pressure system impacting the area has move off to the north and east allowing cold Arctic air to settled across the Eastern USA. Tuesday morning should be the coldest period in Northeast Ohio with temperatures between (-10) and (-15) degrees. 

By Wednesday the area will be under control of high pressure centered over the Mid-Atlantic States. Moderation will commence as high temperatures rise into the 20's.

On Thursday overrunning precipitation,produced by a weak storm system, will spread light snow across the area.

 By Friday the last of the Arctic air will be gone from the Eastern USA.  Temperatures for locations east of the Mississippi River will continue to rise to above normal levels.

The extended forecast is still showing near to above normal temperatures for much of the Eastern USA in the 6-10 day range. Late next week there may be a cool down, but the details are uncertain at this time. 

Bitter Cold!

This has definitely been a snowy and cold start to the year and, it will not get much better in the next five (5) days. A long duration snow event is winding down across the area after producing 6 to 12 inches of snow. Today will be a cold day with day time temperatures not reaching 20 degrees. This weekend will see temperatures moderating into the lower 30's before the next Arctic front arrives Sunday. A wave of low pressure will develop along this front and will bring a general snowfall to much of the area. Once the front passes, temperatures will fall through the day Monday until temperatures early Tuesday approach negative ten (-10) degrees. This cold air combined with strong winds will produce dangerous wind chills. Looking ahead all is not gloom for the Eastern USA. A ridge will replace the trough currently over the region by the weekend allowing temperatures to quickly rise to and possibly exceed normal.

Currently a ridge of high pressure is moving across the area shutting off the lake effect snow and setting the stage for high temperatures to rebound into the lower 30's for the weekend. 

On Sunday the Arctic front will be moving through Ohio with a rapidly deepening low pressure moving northeast along it through the Ohio Valley. Currently much of Northeast Ohio looks to be in line for 3-6 inches of snow from the system with additionally amounts likely from lake effect.

 The system will moving through quickly overnight Sunday allowing bitterly cold air to rush into the Ohio Valley on gusty  northerly winds. After highs are reached on Sunday, temperatures may not stop falling until they are below zero Tuesday morning. At this time it appears temperatures Tuesday morning will be around negative ten (-10) with wind chill values approaching negative thirty-five (-35) degrees. These conditions will be dangerously cold and proper precautions to cover up and limit time outdoors should be made.

The arctic high pressure will move east of the area on Wednesday allowing a moderation of temperatures to begin.

By Thursday, the Arctic high has pushed off the Eastern Seaboard.  Please note the zonal airflow across Southern Canada. This will block Arctic air from flowing south into the Continental USA setting the stage for a rapid warm-up.

Looking ahead in the 6 to 14 day range, above normal temperatures are predicted for all areas east of the Rocky Mountains. This is will be a welcome break for individuals who are winter weary.