Cold temperatures are here for Tuesday, but a shift in the temperature trend is soon to come. The low tonight will be in the mid 30s, which will likely be the last time we see 30 degree temperatures until the middle of next week.
A major shift in the upper air pattern is currently occurring. For the majority of the last week and a half we have been experiencing strong northwesterly flow from Canada which has caused our temperatures to plummet. The upper air pattern is now favoring more of a southwesterly flow, which would result in a greater likelihood that warm air will advect into the region. As a result, temperatures are expected to rise into the low 60s on Thursday and stay above average throughout the weekend into the start of next week. Several disturbances are forecast to make their way into the region, which will bring rain chances back into play. We will likely see rain enter the area ahead of a warm front late in the day on Wednesday, which will likely last throughout much of the day on Thursday. Overall rain accumulations should not too large, possibly around a half inch by the time the rain moves out early Friday morning. Sunny skies are expected on Friday afternoon, before rain chances once again enter the area on Saturday and Sunday.
Long range models have hinted at the possibility of temperatures rising into the upper 60s for Sunday and Monday. Along with warmer temperatures, there seems to be a bit of a thunderstorm risk for Monday that will need to be monitored over the next few days. Temperatures are expected to fall back below average in the middle of next week, as northwesterly flow will once again setup.
-Forecaster Joe Strus
