It’s been quite a while since we’ve dealt with the brutally cold conditions that are now plaguing the region and it looks like we’ll have this frigid stuff in the area for the remainder of the week, so we’ll have to brace ourselves and do our best to survive.  A strong, arctic cold front is on its way from the northwest today and is expected to bring a light dusting of snow to the local area early in the evening and then usher in some unbelievably cold air for the next couple of days.  The coldest night of the season is ahead of us tonight as low temperatures will be close to minus 10 and gusty northwest winds behind that front will make it feel like it’s as cold as minus 30 at times after midnight tonight through the middle of the morning tomorrow.  A Wind Chill Advisory has been posted for much of the area because of the potential for frost bite in this situation especially for those exposed to the elements for longer periods of time.  Be sure to wear layers, cover up the head and hands with hats and gloves and keep the pets inside as much as possible during this brutal cold snap.

Wind chills will be as cold as -30 early Thursday morning and will only climb above -20 around the midday hours. High temperatures tomorrow will be around zero.

Another storm system will move in for Friday and because of the rather cold temperatures we’ll be experiencing, we’ll have a steeper ratio of moisture to snowfall meaning fluffier snow will fall and it will add up a little more quickly.  Totals will be higher as a result.  Right now, it appears that we’ll be shoveling up to 6 or 7 inches of fresh snowfall by Friday evening with this next storm system moves out.  Temperatures will moderate a little over the weekend with lower 30s possible by Sunday.

Posted under Cold

Cold arctic air is moving into the region today and looks to be sticking around through the heart of the week, meaning frigid high temperatures will be the rule for the next couple of days while overnight conditions may be dangerously cold for a while.  A weak storm system is ushering in the colder air as it slides through the region this morning.  We’re getting some snow showers and flurries out of the deal today as well, with just a light dusting expected through the noon hour before a little sun will gradually be breaking through the clouds.  Temperatures today will be falling and then hovering in the single digits for a large portion of the day while wind chills will sink to sub zero levels.  A Wind Chill Advisory has already been posted by the National Weather Service for tonight, including a big part of our viewing area beginning at midnight and running until noon tomorrow.  The areas not already in the advisory, including southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa, will be added later today as the spectre of brutally cold wind chill values in the -25 to -30 range will affect those areas tonight as well.  Another cold front will push through the region on Wednesday reinforcing Old Man Winter’s chilling grip on our area.  Because of the strength of this cold spell, we may find ourselves in similar advisories for tomorrow night and Wednesday night before warmer air begins to blow back into the area for the tail end of the weekend.  In the meantime, there are a couple of elements in this week’s forecast we can be happy about: sunshine will be abundant Tuesday through Thursday and highs will once again climb into the lower 30s for the weekend!  For now, we just need to bundle up and get through the next few days and nights.  Stay warm!

Wind chills will dip to around -25 to -30 overnight tonight and possibly for the next two nights as arctic air invades the area.

Posted under winter weather

A potent cold front has pushed through the area and now arctic air is invading our area today.  Despite some bright sunshine at times, temperatures are slowly going to fall through the afternoon while northwest winds will make it feel like it’s -20 at times with gusts to 30 miles per hour common in most locations.  After sunset, temperatures will begin to fall more quickly.  We’ll start the evening around zero and drop to -20° or so by first thing Friday morning thanks to clear skies and diminishing winds that will help in creating a good environment for radiational cooling.  A reading of -20° tomorrow would be the coldest temperature recorded in Rochester since we hit -26° on January 16, 2009.  Even though winds will be diminishing after sunset, there will be enough of a breeze to combine with our nasty temperatures to create wind chill values in the -35 range.  The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory effective from 6:00 this evening through 9:00 tomorrow morning as those wind chills will be dangerously cold for people and pets, potentially leading to the onset of frost bite in just a few minutes.  Be sure to dress in layers and cover all extremities when heading out and keep the pets and kids indoors as much as possible during this nasty cold spell.  High temperatures tomorrow will be just slightly above zero, but the weekend forecast offers some improvement as afternoon readings will be in the teens above zero while lows won’t be quite as brutal as tonight’s temperatures.

Wind chills will be around -35 through tonight and early Friday morning.

Posted under winter