2/1/17 Evening All Zones: Colder weather arrives late this week

Scattered snow showers, associated with a mid and upper level disturbance, began to wane this evening right around sunset — and improving weather conditions are expected tonight. Clouds will remain, however, as the aforementioned mid level disturbance will still be traversing the area overnight tonight. This will be especially true in Southern portions of the forecast area which will see the most maintained cloud cover tonight.

Some blustery winds will also continue near the coast, while diminishing inland. The overall theme of the weather tonight will be pleasant, with temperatures 7 to 10 degrees above normal lows for this time of year — thanks half in part to the airmass itself, and the other half in part to the cloud cover which will linger over the region.

Colder temperatures surge, temporarily, into the area on Friday.

Colder temperatures surge, temporarily, into the area on Friday.

A notable cold front approaches the area and brings much colder air on Friday during the afternoon hours. Blustery winds are likely as the front approaches and a few scattered snow showers cannot be ruled out either. Temperatures will drop during the afternoon hours with cold air advection (the movement of colder air in the atmosphere) beginning throughout the area as the front moves from northwest to southeast.

Cold temperatures are expected on Friday night with radiational cooling occurring. Radiational cooling occurs when clear skies and calm winds allow the maximum amount of daytime heating to escape into the atmosphere, with temperatures cooling down quite dramatically throughout the area. Temperatures throughout the area will drop below normal for the first time in a while — and it will feel quite cold throughout the area as well.

A sensitive forecast develops thereafter as the weekend approaches. Initially a flat flow will keep calm weather in place — and temperatures near seasonable averages. But a storm approaching on Sunday will bring the potential for precipitation to the area with a surface low drifting northwest of our region and moisture approaching.

A storm system will pass to our northwest on Sunday and may bring rain or snow showers, as seen here on the GFS model.

A storm system will pass to our northwest on Sunday and may bring rain or snow showers, as seen here on the GFS model.

There is still uncertainty in regards to the systems exact track and moisture content, so stay tuned for additional information over the next few days as the system gets closer and forecast confidence rises. Both snow and rain showers would be possible Sunday evening if enough moisture arrives along with the storm systems frontal boundary.

Nevertheless, and regardless of details and specifics, unsettled weather returns Sunday and will continue into the middle of next week when another system may bring a wintry mix of precipitation to the region as well.