Temperature Swings and Severe Weather Potential

Astrological Spring started this past weekend and the region experienced both spring and winter. Temperatures on Saturday warmed into the low fifties (50’s) before a cold front moved through and was responsible for Sunday’s below freezing high temperatures. Today the area is still unseasonably chilly as an Alberta Clipper is quickly weakening as it tracks to the south of the area. Tomorrow high temperatures will be more seasonable as a strong system takes shape over the middle portion of the country. This system will provide a large swing up and later down in the temperature department this week for the region. It will also bring the possibility of this March's first tornado. 

Currently cold high pressure is retreating to the east as a weakening Alberta Clipper is moving to the south of the region. This clipper was much more vigorous in Sunday as it dropped nearly one foot of snow on parts of Minnesota and Iowa. Today nearly six (6) inches of snow fell on parts of Northern Illinois. 

Tomorrow will be mostly quiet but chilly for the area as a storm system takes shape over the middle portion of the country. Locally high temperatures will rise into the forties (40’s). Across the middle portion of the country returning moisture and a strengthening storm system will lead to the possibility of severe thunderstorms from Oklahoma into Missouri. Large hail, strong winds and an isolated tornado or two will be possible.

 

 On Wednesday the storm system will continue to strengthen and send a warm front north of the local area. This will allow temperatures to surge up into the sixties (60’s) before a cold front moves through overnight. Locally the conditions may be unstable enough for thundershowers to move through. Further south from Southern Illinois into Northern Texas severe weather will be possible. There will be a threat of large hail, strong winds, and isolated tornadoes again. 

On Thursday the system will be moving through the local area with the artic front appearing to arrive late Thursday. Temperatures will reach their max early with them falling through the day. As the colder air arrives overnight snow showers will be possible lasting into Friday. Accumulations at this time appear to be minimal if they occur at all. Cold high pressure will control the weather on Friday and Saturday keeping high temperatures in the thirties (30’s). 

On Sunday another system will be quickly approaching from the northwest. Temperatures will rise at least into the forties (40’s) dependent on the timing of the clouds and cold front. Air behind this cold front to not appear to be as cold with high temperatures after its passage around forty (40) degrees on Monday.

Seasonable Temperatures….for now

The long overdue thaw is in full swing across the area. High temperatures every day since Saturday have been above forty (40) degrees with generally quiet weather conditions. The generally bright sunny skies have led to a steady melt of the area’s snow pack. As of today most areas have only a few inches of snow remaining, reduced considerably from the nearly two (2) feet some areas had only a week ago. A more active wet weather pattern is in store for the weekend before the weather improves and ultimately cools down next week.

Currently cool but seasonable high pressure is in control of the weather over the area. High temperatures today rose into the upper forties (40’s) after early morning lows a few degrees below freezing. The storm system for the weekend is currently organizing over the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico.

On Friday the system will begin to move northeast towards the area. Rain will spread into the region from the south and should be falling over most areas in the afternoon. High temperatures will rise to near fifty (50) degrees before the rain begins. Rain will continue overnight Friday and it will be steady and maybe heavy at times. Those living near area rivers should stay alert as flooding due to ice jams will be a good possibility.

The rain will continue most of the day on Saturday as high temperatures reach near fifty (50) degrees before cooler air filters in later in the day. Overnight there is a chance for snow showers before the precipitation pulls out. Conditions on Sunday will be dry and cooler as high temperatures remain in the lower forties (40’s)

On Monday the area will see a decent rebound in temperatures ahead of the next system. High temperatures look to rise well in to the 50’s before a cold front moves through overnight.

Cool high pressure will be in control of the weather on Tuesday and Wednesday providing seasonably cool conditions. High temperatures will be in the lower to middle forties (40’s) both days.

Looking ahead the current seasonable weather looks to go on yet another hiatus beginning late next week. The ridge of high pressure over Western North America will strengthen considerably allowing a trough of low pressure to dig to its east. This will increase the chances for below normal temperatures starting at the end of next week and lasting for at least a week. Winter is not quite over but hopefully the lack of snow cover will not be conducive to a repeat of the extreme cold experienced at the beginning of the month.