The cold weather pattern we’re in is going to be around for quite a while.  Temperatures likely won’t get above 40 degrees all week.  In fact, after lows in the 10s and 20s, it will be a struggle for temperatures to crack 32 degrees in some locations during the day.  (Average high temperatures for this time of the year are in the upper 40s to near 50).

The wind chill will be an issue again today.  Northwest winds of 15-30 mph with higher gusts created wind chills in the single digits this morning and wind chills will be in the 10s and 20s this afternoon.  Winds will finally begin to slowly subside overnight, but it will remain frigid.  Please remember to keep your pets inside, if possible.  Any water in bowls outside will likely stay frozen for much of the night and even into the day due to very cold temperatures. 

Please also remember to look after each other.  I recommend a hat, scarf, gloves/mittens and a heavy coat in this kind of cold weather!

Another tip: please do not leave your car while it is running to let it warm up.  Leaving a vehicle running and unattended is a perfect invitation for someone to steal your vehicle and drive away.  If you do need to warm up your vehicle, please remain inside the car and keep it locked.

Stay warm and safe this week!

By the way, we are keeping an eye on a possible storm moving in from the southwest late Thursday into Friday that could bring us some snow showers.  The track, intensity and amount of cold air will all be key players.  It is too soon to make any other predictions at this time, but it could be interesting…stay tuned! 

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

Skies will start out mostly cloudy with scattered showers.  After a mild start with temperatures in the 60s, temperatures will top out around 80 degrees.  However, it  may not feel quite that warm because it is windy!  As a cold front moves through winds will gust up to 30 mph at times.  Drier air moving in combined with gusty winds will create elevated fire danger this afternoon, so please use caution.  Skies will clear rapidly this afternoon behind the front.  Due to a westerly down-sloping wind, temperatures won’t cool much during the daylight hours.  However, once the sun sets tonight, temperatures will crash!  Lows tonight will be in the upper 40s inland to lower 50s along the coast. 

Thursday will feature sunshine with highs only in the upper 60s to lower 70s.  Another brief warm-up is expected on Friday with highs back up in the 80s.

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson