Modified Arctic air was filtering into the region behind a departing cold front that passed through yesterday evening. The work week will end on a chilly note across the Capital Region and vicinity as temperatures only reach into the 20's today, albeit under brightening skies.
A warm front will sweep across the region overnight tonight and early Saturday morning putting an end to the brief cold spell. After a few morning snow flurries and showers, temperatures should rise to above normal levels during the day. However, lurking in the wings will be a potent cold front, with a true Arctic airmass, that begins its journey eastward toward our region, from the center of the nation, on Saturday night. The front sweeps through the region, with vigor, by Sunday morning. Snow showers and squalls will accompany the front. A gusty northwesterly wind is forecast to pick up in earnest along and behind the front, adding additional chill to the air by Sunday afternoon. Temperatures should start out Sunday near to slightly above normal, but will exhibit a downward trend as the day goes on, and the Arctic air lunges southward behind the departing frontal boundary.
The new work week looks to be cold, in fact bitter cold, in some cases as temperatures struggle into the teens above zero for highs by midweek, which is a good 10 to 15 degrees below seasonal averages. It is entirely possible that the region may drop near to slightly below zero during some of the overnight periods next week as strong Arctic high pressure builds in to the area.
...Below is the official forecast for the Capital Region and vicinity...
Today: Morning clouds giving way to a mix of sun and clouds for the afternoon. Cold. High 20-25. West winds 5-10 MPH.
Tonight: Increasing clouds with a slight chance of a snow shower or flurry after midnight. Low near 15. Southerly winds 5-10 MPH. Chance of snow is 20 percent. Little if any snow accumulation is expected.
Saturday: A slight chance of a snow shower or flurry in the morning. Otherwise, intervals of clouds and sunshine and becoming breezy for the balance of the day. High near 40. Southwest winds 10-20 MPH. Chance of snow is 20 percent. Little if any snow accumulation is expected.
Saturday Night: Increasing clouds with a chance of snow showers after midnight. Low near 30. Southerly winds 5-15 MPH. Chance of snow is 30 percent. A dusting of snow is possible.
Sunday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine and windy. Chance of snow showers and squalls, especially during the morning. Early high in the mid 30's with temperatures falling into the 20's during the afternoon. Northwest winds 15-30 MPH with higher gusts to near 35 MPH possible at times. Chance of snow is 30 percent. A dusting to an inch of new snow accumulation is possible.
Monday: Partly sunny, windy, and cold. High near 20 and low near 5 above zero.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny and frigid. High near 15 and low near zero.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and frigid. High near 15 and low near zero.
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