Significant Cold Wave Likely Late Week into Next Week

We are closely monitoring a developing weather situation for the period Friday of this week through Wednesday of next week.  While changes to the forecast are still likely, we wanted to give you a heads-up so that you can prepare for the coming cold weather.

Expected impacts:

•A surge of arctic air is forecast to impact the local region beginning about Friday of this week and continuing through at least Wednesday morning of next week

•During this time period, temperatures will remain at or below freezing for extended periods of time with wind chill values mainly in the teens and 20s for extended periods of time

•Minimum early morning low temperatures will average 15-20 degrees across much of the area, centered on Sunday/Monday

•Daytime high temperatures will average the 30s on Friday/Saturday, the 20s on Sunday, and the lower to middle 30s on Monday/Tuesday

Some light, wintry precipitation is also possible at times from Sunday through Tuesday, but at this time it is too early to be precise with regard to potential impacts

Discussion:

A surge of bitterly cold, arctic air is forecast to impact the local region beginning about Friday of this week (2/12/21) and continuing through at least Wednesday morning of next week (2/17/21). While all details are not 100% certain, we wanted to provide as much notice as possible so that you can prepare accordingly for this event.

During the above mentiond time period, temperatures will remain at or below freezing for extended periods of time with wind chill values mainly in the teens and 20s for extended periods of time. Minimum early morning low temperatures will average 15-20 degrees across much of the area, centered on Sunday and Monday mornings. Daytime high temperatures will average the 30s on Friday/Saturday, the 20s on Sunday, and the lower to middle 30s on Monday and Tuesday.

In addition, several weak upper level weather disturbances are forecast to move across the region during the period Sunday through Tuesday, which will result in the potential for at least occasional, light wintry precipitation at times during that portion of the peirod. At this time it is too early to be precise with regard to potential impacts, but we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The purpose of this alert is to provide advance notice that temperatures will be significantly colder and for a significant period of time during the above indicated period. We recommend that planning begin now to prepare for the upcoming cold weather, especially due to the relatively mild conditions that we've experienced for much of the winter to this date. We are still in the initial monitoring stages of this event, so expect additional changes to the forecast as we move through the coming days.