Roller Coaster Ride!

A roller coaster ride; that pretty well sums up the way temperatures have been lately. After spending most of last week below freezing, we shot up into the 50s Friday and Saturday, will struggle to get to 40 today, and then back to near 50 on Monday before the ride heads back down for the rest of the week.

The cold front that brought in today's cooler conditions was a little slow in getting here yesterday which allowed us to have such a nice day. Now that we are behind the boundary, lingering clouds all day and a NE to E wind will produce temperatures about 15 degrees or so cooler than what we enjoyed yesterday. Despite the clouds, little or no precipitation is expected although what does fall will probably be in the form of ice pellets. It will be so light though that no problems are anticipated.

Monday will have a brisk southerly wind and if we see any sunshine at all temperatures will make it into the 50s. There will also be a slight chance of light rain late in the day or overnight as a stronger cold front will be arriving Monday night. Tuesday will then be back into the cool side of things and Wednesday will be cooler yet.

Thursday looks to be the most interesting day of the coming week. We will have cool air in place and a disturbance aloft will be coming across the state. The longer range guidance still has not come into complete agreement regarding the timing/placement/intensity of the surface and upper air features. But, there are enough similarities to suggest at least some wintry precipitation potential, particularly for the northern half of the state and perhaps statewide by the time it is all said and done. Moisture appears to be limited and it is way to early to get too excited about the wintry prospects.

So, stay tuned and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot