Good Thursday, everyone. A cold front is crossing the state today and is kicking up some more gusty showers. Colder air is filtering in behind this front and that’s a sign of things to come. Arctic air shows up next week as we flip the switch on a very early start to winter.

Today’s front will create wind gusts of 30mph at times as it screams through here. Showers will work across the region as temps drop through the 40s behind the front this afternoon.

Current Temperatures

Some of the late day and evening showers could have a touch of sleet mixed in. As colder air works in tonight, temps drop into the low 30s for many. That could set the stage for a few snow flurries Friday morning, especially in the east and southeast.

Highs on Friday will only be in the low and mid 40s for many. Skies become partly sunny with readings dropping into the 30s for Friday evening plans.

Another cold front arrives Saturday and looks similar to the one we’re dealing with today. A band of gusty showers will develop ahead of this boundary as winds crank up. Temps will tumble through the 40s late in the day and could be cold enough for a flurry in the east by Sunday morning.

Next week is when the arctic express is due in town. Ironically, things start VERY windy and mild on Monday as we await the arrival of the arctic front on Tuesday.

The Canadian Model shows this impressive system well…

Canadian

The GFS has a similar look for Tuesday…

GFS

I suppose it’s possible for the cold air to catch the back edge of the departing rain shield and give us some flakes. The big story, though, is the cold. Temps may average greater than 20 degrees below normal for several days…

GFS 3

That is beyond impressive for so early in the season! What’s driving this? Check out the blocking across western Canada toward the North Pole…

GFS 4

That allows for a mega trough to dig in across the eastern part of the country, and it’s loaded with arctic air. By the very end of next week into the following week, we will need to watch for something sliding east out of the southern branch of the jet stream. It’s a pattern that can lead to some winter weather to go along with all that frigid air.

Btw… the above pattern should be repeated several times over the next few months. 😉

I will update things later today. Have a good one and take care.