The Latest Storm Tracker Forecast from Meteorologists Matt Mackie and Kevin Appleby:
Generally quiet weather is on tap for Thursday - just a bit brisk with a breeze out of the west which will gradually diminish later this afternoon. Saturday features a nearly identical forecast to what we have for today. But in-between those cold weather days, we turn milder with widespread periods of wintry mix expected for Friday-especially Friday PM.
Temperatures will climb into the mid 20s in many areas by the afternoon. Clouds will increase as the winds decrease during the afternoon.
We stay quiet for much of the overnight. Cloud cover and a developing wind out of the south will not only keep us on the mild side - but also boost the temperatures by daybreak Friday. As an approaching storm system lifts towards the region from our south, lots of areas will have surface temperatures very close to freezing.
Winter Weather Advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service for areas along and south of Interstate 90 for the highest confidence in light freezing rain. Despite two days this week with highs in the low 40s, ground temperatures are still very cold due to our otherwise cold weather this month. Up to a tenth of an inch of ice accretion is possible within the Winter Weather Advisory area.
Isolated to scattered rain and freezing rain showers, mixing with sleet in some spots, will primarily be confined near and south of I-90 during the morning hours, but more widespread showers will impact the entire region during the PM hours.
The system is going to be clashing with colder air to the north as well. While not under any Winter Weather Advisories at this time, a glaze of ice can't be ruled out for our northern regions as well. Remember, with ice, bridges and overpasses will be the first to become slippery. Sleet and snow may also mix in up north from time to time. Meanwhile, the afternoon will feature milder temperatures along and south of I-90, supporting a transition to plain old rain in the regions.
After sunset, colder air will begin to rush into the region. Should we maintain precipitation intensity, a quick burst of moderate to heavy snow is possible off towards the north.
A general 1 to 3 inches of snow is anticipated at this time, but there is the potential for locally higher amounts due to localized banding.
Things quiet down once again for Saturday. All things considered, it's almost a carbon copy from today's weather - highs in the 20s, a good deal of sun, and a brisk feel reinforced by gusty winds. Sunday is milder but with another chance for snow showers - particularly later in the day and overnight.
Additional minor to moderate snow accumulations are anticipated into early Monday morning from this system - we will hold off on exact numbers until the weekend, after this mixed bag of precipitation on tap for tomorrow.
Milder air builds in for Monday as this system finishes off with scattered plain old rain showers for many spots. Cooler, more seasonable weather follows up the mild Monday - highs near freezing for Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday presents our region with another chance for a few snow showers as our weather pattern remains active through the first week of February, at least.