Expect frigid temperatures to return for your weekend, along with windy conditions on Saturday. A gradual warm-up will occur after starting early next week.
Today:
Morning temperatures start in the lower 20s before increasing to a high temperature around 32 degrees in the afternoon. Early evening temperatures will hover in the low 30s range. Winds will be light and variable and expect some cloudy conditions. There is the potential for non-accumulating flurries in the evening.
Tonight:
Overnight temperatures should stay in the mid-20s. Expect light and variable winds.
Tomorrow (Saturday):
Early morning temperatures are expected to plummet into the lower teens, with high temperatures in the upper teens being reached in the afternoon. Evening temperatures should drop back into the lower teens. Expect partly cloudy conditions and winds in the 15-20 mph range. Gusts may surpass 25 mph, which could lead to temperatures feeling significantly colder than the stated temperature range. Be sure to limit time outside and wear warm clothing!
Looking Ahead:
Temperatures for the remainder of the weekend are staying frigid. Thankfully, high temperatures will return to the 30s range for the start of our third week of school. While this is still cold, it is certainly a welcome change from high temperatures in the teens and 20s! The rest of the weekend will also see some drier conditions and decreasing wind speeds after Saturday.
Discussion:
Why is the frigid weather returning? An arctic front will enter the area from the northwest Friday night into Saturday morning, bringing with it a frigid arctic air mass. The air mass was directed to our region due to the synoptic set-up of the early weekend weather story. An upper-level trough will force the arctic air equatorward.
Via www.pivotalweather.com
Via www.pivotalweather.com
Above are near-surface temperature and upper-level wind maps, respectively for early Saturday morning. The placement of the trough lines up relatively well with the incoming frigid air mass (depicted by the blue, purple, and white coloring).
That’s all for today. Have a great day, Terps!
- Writer: Anjali Vidyasagar
- Editor: Morgan Peterson
Featured image via Anjali Vidyasagar