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Temperatures to Plummet with Brief Arctic Blast

Josh Larson @ 9:30 AM

An Arctic cold front will come barreling through the area today, dropping temperatures significantly and bringing with it the slightest chance of a flake or two during the second half of the day. Friday looks frigid, but the intense cold air won't last too long into the weekend, as we'll see much milder temperatures by Sunday.

Today


Forecast Confidence: HighFalling temperatures in the afternoon. We'll start the day with mostly sunny skies, with temperatures approaching 50 by early afternoon. The aforementioned Arctic cold front will push through the area (along with an increase in clouds) by mid-afternoon; temperatures will drop some 10 degrees by sunset. A widely scattered snow shower cannot be ruled out during evening hours, but most areas in the immediate region will remain dry. Breezy and much colder overnight, with lows from the upper teens to the mid 20s downtown.

Friday


Forecast Confidence: Medium-HighFrigid! After a very cold start Friday morning, temperatures -- especially under partly to mostly cloudy skies (due to cold air aloft creating instability) -- will only slowly rise into the low to mid 30s during the afternoon. Northwest winds of 15-25mph will make it feel another 10-15 degrees colder. A word of advice: aggressively bundle up! Clear and very cold Friday night, with lows from 17-24.

The Weekend


Forecast Confidence: High-Very HighModerating temperatures. After another very cold start to the day Saturday, we'll look for mostly sunny skies and temperatures moderating to the much-more-comfortable mid by afternoon. Clear and still rather chilly Saturday night, with lows from the mid 20s to near 30 downtown. Sunday will feature a blend of clouds and sun, with milder temperatures approaching 50 degrees. Not as cool Sunday night, with lows from near 30 across the coolest suburbs to the mid to upper 30s downtown.

LARSON'S LONG-RANGE


Pattern Overview
The sharp trough that will bring very cold air to the region late today into the first half of the weekend will be short-lived due to a rather progressive (or fast-moving) jet stream pattern. In fact, by the start of next week we'll see pronounced ridging over the eastern third of the nation, with temperatures likely to be at least 5 degrees above average for all of the next work week. Thereafter, temperatures may return to near or slightly-below normal levels.

Pictured above: a trough pushing through the western and central US early next week will allow for noticeable ridging (and milder, southwesterly flow) aloft for the eastern third of the country.

Next week's forecast
Forecast highs/lows: 53/39 (normal = 48/33)
Forecast precip: Near normal

Forecast Confidence: High-Very HighExpect a blend of clouds and sun on Monday with mild highs near 55 and overnight lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. Tuesday will feature more clouds than sun, with highs in the low 50s and lows near 40. Wednesday and Thursday will feature mostly cloudy to overcast skies with a 50/50 shot of showers both days; highs will be from 50-55, with overnight lows from 40-45. Drier conditions look like they may take hold on Friday, with still-mild temperatures holding nearly steady.

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