Tracking a string of quiet winter-like days ahead of a more active pattern
TODAY: Wednesday brings a weak cold front through the region around daybreak. We'll expect this to keep us cooler in some spots today, with clouds and a northwest breeze. Some in the south may keep sun a bit longer, leading to potential for highs in the 40s, but under clouds, we should keep temperatures in the 30s, potentially low-to-mid 30s north of Columbia.
TONIGHT: Temperatures are falling back into the 20s overnight under continued clouds and north breeze.
EXTENDED: Thursday should be the coldest day, with high pressure sinking in and bringing the cold with it. Despite the high pressure, clouds should linger, helping to keep us in the mid-30s. On Friday, winds will return from the south, returning 40s to the forecast. By Friday night, we'll be tracking a passing low pressure, that will bring a chance for spotty rain and snow showers. This will be very light and intermittent precipitation as the core of this low will pass well south of us, taking the better moisture with it. Temperatures are expected to fall to just near freezing late Friday into Saturday for some, meaning we likely won't have to worry about travel impacts as the ground is likely too warm for the expected light precipitation to overcome. This limited precipitation will continue into Saturday, where climbing temperatures will keep this as a rain snow mix. Chances for strictly snow will be better north of I-70, but this is where moisture will be even more limited. The overall best chance for precipitation will be south of the interstate. Snow accumulations, if at all, are expected to be limited to elevated and grassy surfaces. Precipitation lasts into Saturday night, where it makes a last ditch effort at snow as temperatures cool, but it's not likely enough to accumulate. Dry weather returns Sunday with cloudy skies remaining. Most of Monday will remain dry, but another area of low pressure is approaching for Monday night. The general scenario here is expected to be a strong system that is likely to bring precipitation Monday night into Tuesday. The question is where does it track. This system could bring a good dose of measurable rain, or our first significant snow of the season. It could also fall anywhere in-between. While details remain scarce on this system, it's too early to know what to expect, but it's not a bad idea to start getting comfortable with the idea of snow next week. Don't cancel any plans, but be thinking of contingencies just in case; even if you may not need them.
