COMMENTARY<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These final 5 days of February will remind many people why you don’t “call winter off” early. None of us have the “authority” to do that, based on the winter so far. Our individual perceptions may differ, but the fact remains, winter doesn’t end before it ends, and even the best forecasters can’t see far enough into the future to guarantee such a silly notion beyond a week or so, let alone a couple months. We best leave that to mother nature to decide. She’s been doing a pretty decent job at it since before we around watching. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 24-28)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of the final 5 days of February. Here they come! And they start out fairly harsh. Yesterday’s messy system was followed by a brief shower of freezing rain for many areas last night, even with thunder in some areas! A quick coating of glaze occurred with the passage of these where it was cold enough, and many areas have icy ground to start the day. We did see a bit of a temperature rise overnight though, helping to loosen up the ice and melt it a bit in many portions of the I-95 belt and southeastward, but off to the northwest it has stayed colder. The warmest part of the day is now, and soon, as a cold front goes by, the temperature will fall during the day, into the 20s in areas that are in the 30s, and through the 20s in areas that are already in the 20s, along with a pretty decent wind. Other than a brief snow shower possible with the front’s passing, expect dry weather during today. Tonight’s a cold one – single digit low temperature for most along with below zero wind chill, so bundle up for biting air and beware again of icy areas underfoot! The weekend features ok weather, but slightly unsettled. While it’s coldest Saturday and a bit milder Sunday, both days carry precipitation chances – with a few afternoon snow shower possible as a disturbance moves through the region Saturday afternoon, and a few snow showers (maybe rain showers toward the South Coast) on Sunday afternoon as a weak low pressure system moves quickly through the region. Then our attention turns to the potential winter storm early next week. Monday is “set-up” day behind the Sunday system as high pressure builds in with dry, chilly weather but increasing clouds. We’ve seen our guidance go from painting a picture of a blockbuster snow to a more “ordinary” one during the last several runs regarding the Monday night \/ Tuesday threat. I will say that it is the best opportunity we’ve had so far this winter of widespread snowfall, but that we still have some details to work out. An initial low is likely to move somewhere into the Great Lakes region, and its elongation and redevelopment details are going to determine what we end up with. There are still several scenarios on the table regarding the detailed outcome, so for now the wording for the day-5 forecast will be generic, and there will be a long period of fine tuning ahead over the next few days…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TODAY: Early to mid morning clouds with a passing snow shower possible, then mostly sunny. Highs 28-35 early, then falling into and through the 20s. Wind NW increasing to 15-25 MPH with higher gusts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TONIGHT: Clear. Lows 3-10. Wind NW 15-25 MPH early, diminishing overnight. Wind chill below zero especially evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SATURDAY: Sunniest early, then lots of clouds with intervals of sunshine. Scattered snow showers midday-afternoon. Highs 21-28. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 10-17 evening, may rise slightly overnight. Wind SW up to 10 MPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SUNDAY: Becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers north, mix\/rain shower south in the afternoon. Highs 32-39. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 20-27. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MONDAY: Sunshine followed by increasing clouds. Highs 35-42. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MONDAY NIGHT: Overcast. Snow arrives. Lows 22-29. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TUESDAY: Overcast. Good chance of snow, but may be mixed precipitation to the south. Highs 30-37. Wind NE 10-20 MPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 1-5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Active pattern \u2013 watching low pressure areas to bring potential wintry precipitation threats March 2 and 4. Temperatures near to below normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 6-10)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional unsettled weather including another precipitation threat around the March 6-8 window. Temperatures near to below normal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
COMMENTARY These final 5 days of February will remind many people why you don’t “call winter off” early. None of us have the “authority” to do that, based on the winter so far. Our individual perceptions may differ, but the fact remains, winter doesn’t end before it ends, and even the best forecasters can’t see … Continue reading Friday February 24 2023 Forecast (7:11AM)<\/span>