Much Colder, Windy

A strong cold front blasted through the area yesterday afternoon, but temperatures were somewhat slow to advect in as an upper trough did not deepen as much as expected. The upper air trough will deepen considerably over the next 24 hours with very strong cold air advection occurring across the region. As a result, temperatures are not going to rise very much at all today. This will be compounded by a persistent stratus deck that should be in place all day. Judging by upstream observations and soundings yesterday, I expect skies to be cloudy all day. Even some drizzle can't be completely ruled out late this morning and early afternoon. Temperatures will be about 20 degrees colder than yesterday with highs only topping out near 54 this afternoon. The wind will make temperatures feel like they are in the upper 40s due to a strong pressure gradient that will maintain a persistent northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph with gusts near 20 mph. Tonight will be chilly, but low clouds and strong winds should keep us from dropping into the 30s. Still, lows tomorrow morning will be near 41.

Saturday looks windy and chilly with low clouds and highs in the lower 50s. Temperatures will be in the upper 30s on Sunday morning but will rebound into the mid 50s by the afternoon. The good news is that the sunshine will make an extended appearance beginning on Sunday. Clear skies on Sunday night should allow temperatures to drop into the mid to upper 30s Monday morning.