A blast of arctic air resulted in a dramatic drop in temperatures a couple of days ago and an unseasonably cold airmass to the region. The core of the cold airmass is to our north across North Dakota and Minnesota where wind chill readings this morning where as low as -47F. Both Des Moines and Minneapolis recorded their first below zero temperature yesterday since February 10, 2011. High temperatures in Chicago were in the teens but an even colder air mass is on the way tonight and Tuesday. That's when temperatures will drop to zero if not below with wind chill values ranging from -20 to -25. A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for much of the Chicagoland area as a result. Temperatures moderate back into the 20s but will still remain below normal on Wednesday.
With Chicago in the midst of a persistent northwest pattern flow, light snow or scattered flurries are possible through Wednesday as weak impulses from Canada rides along that northwest flow zone.
Later in the week, weather concerns shifts to the possibility of our first accumulating snow of the year. There is a bit of uncertainty in the exact timing and placing of the snow, but forecast models are suggesting a storm system from the north to phase or come together with a storm system from the south. Snow amounts from these various models range from a dusting to a few inches by Saturday. We'll be keeping a close watch on this one. This weekend on pints forward it appears that the weather pattern turns active with several shots of precipitation. The timeframe of this being the end of the month through the first week in February.
Complete Forecast
Monday: Partly cloudy and unseasonably cold. Chance for snow showers early. Highs in the lower teens. Winds west-northwest 5-15 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny and cold. Highs 5 to 10 degrees. Winds west-northwest 5-15 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and slightly warmer. Highs in the lower 20s. Winds becoming southwest 5-15 mph.
Thursday: Partly cloudy and unseasonably. Chance for snow later in the day. Highs in the mid 20s. Winds southwest 10-20 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy with the chance for snow. Highs in the lower 20s. Winds north-northeast 5-15 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny and cold. Highs in the lower 20s. Winds northwest 5-15 mph.
Sunday: Partly cloudy and unseasonably cool. Highs in the lower 30s. Winds southwest 5-15 mph.
8-15 day temperature trend outlook
Monday Jan. 28: Highs in the 30s.
Tuesday Jan. 29: Highs in the 20s.
Wednesday Jan. 30: Highs in the 20s.
Thursday Jan. 31: Highs in the 30s.
Friday Feb. 1: Highs in the 30s.
Saturday Feb. 2: Highs in the 30s.
Sunday Feb. 3: Highs in the 20s.
Monday Feb. 4: Highs in the 20s.
Tuesday Feb. 5: Highs in the 20s.
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