Good afternoon, gang. Cold air continues to push eastward across the bluegrass state and this is a sign of things to come. I mentioned a few days ago that this was a pattern to where the models would be too warm with the temps and we’re already seeing that.

The numbers across central and western Kentucky are several degrees colder than model forecasts from just a few hours ago and MUCH colder than model forecasts from a few days ago.

Temps this afternoon will stay in the mid 30s for the west and central . Thermometers in the east will slowly drop into the upper 30s. Rain will continue as another wave of low pressure works along our cold front. That may have a touch of some snow and rain mix showing up on the western fringe though the evening…

Current temperatures

Monday will feature more clouds, but with some breaks trying to show up. Highs will be in the upper 30s to low 40s.

Some flurries will still be possible Tuesday as even colder air sweeps in. A period of light snow may develop across far eastern and southeastern Kentucky during this time.

The final day of 2014 will be a cold one with some areas struggling to get out of the 20s for highs. Looks like upper teens and low 20s as the ball drops on 2015.

The end of the week storm system continues to show up very well on the models and we are seeing them finally sensing the arctic air. How are they doing that? By no longer cutting a storm all the way to Chicago and, instead, pushing it much farther south and east. That’s obviously a colder solution for our part of the world.

The European Model continues to indicate a swath of winter precipitation for much of the state on Friday…

Euro

Again… that’s showing where a mix of precipitation falls on this particular model run. The European Model then shunts the system eastward with a switch to cold rain then back to some snow to end things late Saturday.

The Canadian Model offers a similar solution with a mix of precipitation on Friday then to rain then to some snow late Saturday…

Canadian

The new version of the GFS is trending in a similar direction…

GFS

As the models continue to finally catch on to the fact they are busting WAY too warm on temps across the country and North America… can that system wind up more south and east than the current model forecasts? That’s something to watch for in the coming days.

Whatever happens with that system, a true arctic front looks to sweep in behind that and could develop a wave of low pressure along it…

GFS 3 GFS 2

I want to stress… individual storm systems and arctic blasts will differ on timing and impact on our actual weather. But… this overall North American pattern is a COMPLETE AND TOTAL reversal of the one we had for most of December.

Enjoy your Sunday and take care.