7:35AM
DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 21-25)
The latest storm system has behaved generally as expected, after being a little slow to get underway as there was a lot of dry air to overcome. But now the warm air has come in aloft with the cold hanging on at the surface, causing snow to turn to sleet and freezing rain. But the steady precipitation is gone and leaving in its wake just patchy drizzle and freezing drizzle, an overcast and areas of fog. But during the course of the day today, low pressure will get northeast of the region and a drying westerly wind will take over, clearing it out and warming it up somewhat. This is not the entrance of a warm air mass, just air warmer than the cold trapped at the ground now. It’ll end up seasonably chilly tonight and Friday as high pressure moves in. This high will retreat Saturday and open the door for the next storm system, a familiar Great Lakes Cutter, on Sunday, which may start as snow/mix briefly Saturday night in some areas with lingering cold, but will end up rain for all as milder air wins out at all levels. Behind this system, drier and colder air will return but the wind may be the bigger story for Monday as the storm will be quite large in eastern Canada as it departs and we’ll have a strong gradient against approaching high pressure from the west.
Forecast details…
TODAY: Overcast with areas of fog and patchy drizzle and freezing drizzle to start, then clearing. Highs 45-52 occurring late in the day. Wind light variable early, then W increasing to 10-20 MPH.
TONIGHT: Mostly clear evening. Partly cloudy overnight. Lows 23-30. Wind W 5-15 MPH.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 36-43. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, diminishing late.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 18-25. Wind light variable.
SATURDAY: Sun followed by clouds. Chance of rain by late night, may start as snow some areas. Highs 37-44. Wind light variable.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with rain likely, tapering to rain showers later. Temperatures steady in the 40s daytime, falling to the 30s evening.
MONDAY: Sun/clouds. Windy. Lows from the upper 20s to lower 30s. Highs from the upper 30s to lower 40s.
DAYS 6-10 (FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 2)
Dry and cold February 26. Will watch the period February 27-March 2 for the potential of 2 storm systems impacting the region. Too early for details but the first is likely to be minor and include rain and/or snow showers. The second has the potential to be a more significant system with rain/ice/snow possible.
DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 3-7)
Similar pattern, will watch for one or 2 possible storm threats. Also have to watch some very cold air to the north for a possible southward push.