We have quite the ride through the next few days. An Arctic cold front has moved through the area, bringing brisk northerly winds and plunging temperatures after sunset. While the initial drop may feel gradual, temperatures will rapidly tumble overnight due to strong “cold air advection” that should usher in some of the coldest temps we ahve seen since last Winter.
Expect wind chills to dip into the mid-teens in some spots with mid-20s elsewhere, with gusty winds around 20 knots amplifying the chill.
The “Experienced Temperatures” map above take the temperature, wind speed and humidity into account to let you know what you will feel like when you walk outside. In a word: Cold.
A Cold Weather Advisory, a new type of alert from the National Weather Service, is in effect for parts of the area. Keep in mind, you will still face uncomfortably cold conditions, even if advisory thresholds aren’t met in your specific location. Bundle up if you’re heading out!
Friday will be a classic post-frontal day with highs in the mid-40s and brisk northerly breezes keeping things chilly. Arctic dry air will bring abundant sunshine, so while the day will be cold, it will also be bright and clear—perfect for staying indoors with some hot cocoa or your favorite coffee. Just layer up for outdoor activities.
Overnight lows drop down into the 30s for most folks. Not as cold, but still pretty chilly. The combination of lingering surface moisture from recent rain and sub-freezing temperatures will create widespread frost. If you have early Saturday plans, be prepared to scrape frost off your windshield before hitting the road. Frost will dissipate quickly after sunrise, making for a crisp but manageable morning.
Sunday will bring a shift in the pattern as southerly winds return, pulling Gulf moisture into the area. As we pivot to the afternoon, evening and overnight, the current forecast soundings suggest we won’t have the instability needed for robust severe weather. Instead we have a good bit of low-level shear without much deep-layer instability.
We could see 2″ to 3″ of rain as it all moves through, too. The threat for severe weather looks low right now, but it is worth watching in the coming days.
Rain will persist off and on through Wednesday morning before another front sweeps through, clearing the area and bringing drier air. Highs will settle into the low 50s, and Thursday morning lows will dip below freezing under clear skies.
REGIONAL DAY TO DAY FORECAST
Tonight: Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Much colder with lows in the upper 20s. North winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
Friday: Sunny, cooler with highs around 50. North winds 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Cold with lows in the lower 30s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Not as cool with lows in the lower 40s.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Not as cool with highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Sunday Night: Cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening, then showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Not as cool with lows around 60. Temperature rising into the mid 60s after midnight. Chance of rain 60 percent.
Monday: Showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Locally heavy rainfall possible in the morning. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 80 percent.
Monday Night: Showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Near steady temperature in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. A chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cooler with lows in the upper 40s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then partly sunny with a chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Much cooler with highs in the upper 50s. Temperature falling into the lower 50s in the afternoon. Chance of rain 40 percent.
