After the messy weather on Wednesday we can look forward to a fairly nice mid January day for Thursday as sunshine returns and temperatures climb to slightly above average. What follows thereafter is a pattern that brings progressively colder air into the region, except on Saturday when there will be a brief period of milder air. Since early in January it has been mentioned that a cold blast would visit here sometime around the middle of the month. By early next week it will become sharply colder in these parts and even colder by the middle of next week.
But first, what is happening in the short term? As we mentioned Thursday will be a fairly nice day, but a strong cold front will approach from Canada. The front should push through late in the day, which will introduce a good shot of cold air late night and Friday. There is also a chance of a snow flurry or snow shower accompanying the frontal passage late Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, low pressure will slide offshore to our south and it is now forecast to come close enough so as to bring a chance of light snow over southeast Massachusetts very early Friday. This system is not expected to impact the Springfield area, although a flurry or two could stray into the area. What will catch your attention Friday will be the much colder temperatures and gusty northwest winds which will make it feel even colder, despite a good amount of sunshine.
After a cold Friday night the thermometer recovers nicely on Saturday, with highs slightly above normal. Low pressure will track to our north and drags yet another cold front through here on Sunday. More cold, more wind and it will be quite blustery as we go into the holiday on Monday.
We will be watching a weak disturbance coming out of the Great Lakes and diving southeast toward the coast early next week. It could bring us another period of snow later Monday or Monday night. Once this low departs it will get even colder as bone chilling air migrates into the area Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
Five Day Forecast:
Thursday: Sunshine returns as high temperatures climb to around 40 degrees. Skies become partly cloudy during the afternoon, with a slight chance of a flurry or snow shower late. West to northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday night: Turning mostly cloudy. Slight chance of flurries well after midnight. Colder, with lows 10 to 15. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunshine takes over and it will be windy and cold. Highs in the mid to upper 20s. Northwest winds could gust to over 25 mph at times.
Friday night: Partly cloudy and cold. Lows around 15. Winds turn southwest.
Saturday and Saturday night: Considerable cloudiness and seasonably cool. Highs in the upper 30s. Overnight lows 15 to 20.
Sunday and Sunday night: Variable cloudiness, windy and colder. Highs in the mid 30s, with overnight lows in the teens.
Monday: Partly cloudy and cold. Highs in the upper 20s.
Monday night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of light snow developing. Cold, with lows near 10.
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