Good Thursday, everyone. It’s an absolutely frigid day across Kentucky and surrounding areas as arctic air has taken control of our weather. The wind chills out there today are brutal for early December, but the wicked cold pattern will ease this weekend.
The arctic front that slammed through here overnight kicked off high winds of 50mph-60mph to announce it’s arrival. It’s also touching off some very early morning snow showers and a squallsy for some areas, potentially leading to a few slick spots on roads.
Wind chills this morning range from 0 to 5 above in many areas as actual temps reach the teens. The flakes end quickly but the cold winds remain with highs in the 20s and wind chills down into the high single digits to middle teens.
This sets the stage for another cold night. Winds won’t be as gusty but the wind chills will be back into the single digits. This animation goes from 8pm this evening to 8am Friday…
There’s even the chance for actual temps to sneak into the high single digits in some of the colder valleys.
Wind chills through Friday into Friday night won’t be nearly as cold, but it’s still pretty darn cold. This wind chill animation starts at 9am Friday and rolls through 8am Saturday…
The cold really eases this weekend as thermometers head toward 50 by Sunday. This ahead of a nice rainmaker rolling in late Sunday and Monday. This is along a boundary that slows down right on top of us, allowing for another low pressure to develop. Where this low goes is a long way away from being known as the models are all struggling to figure that part out.
The latest EURO keeps this on the eastern slopes of the Appalachian Mountains on Wednesday and Thursday…
That’s another healthy cold shot coming in behind this…
The GFS is struggling the most with how to handle the overall pattern, but a few of the recent runs were in the ballpark. That didn’t last too long, but it’s trying…
The Canadian is also trying…
Again, we will see how that second low tracks as it can bring is rain and/or snow before temps crash once again.
The pattern should break for a spell with the back and forth likely continuing. It’s interesting to note the EURO weeklies 30 day average from late December through the middle of January suggests all kinds of winter weather potential across the central and eastern parts of the country…
I’ll have updates later today. Here are your arctic cold tracking tools…
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Make it a great day and take care.
Thanks Chris. A good day to stay indoors. Looking forward to the milder and wetter days later this weekend. The ” yo yo” temperature changes are hard on this old soul.
Enjoy the Day Everyone !
Kudos to you, Chris. Your forecasts clearly show that you’ve sifted through the data and then shared conclusions and observations. As of late, there have been several postings per day. And every one has been with you in the background, studiously avoiding any first person pronouns and braggadocio. You’ve clearly taken comments to heart. You deserve our heart felt “thanks.” We appreciate all you do for us.
I agree 100% Yard Guy. Chris’s forecast have been right on.