More Cold - er Weather On The Way

(Fig.1) image from: www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu

   Since the source of arctic air is from near or within the snow and ice covered areas of the Arctic Circle (Fig. 1), it will be very dense and very dry. As it advances south and southeast from its source region it would tend to modify as it passes across a warmer land mass beneath it.

 (Fig.2) 28 Dec 2017 Snow on the Ground courtesy:

   However, thanks to an extensive snowpack across the interior parts of the Northeast and Great Lakes States north across Southern Canada (Fig.2)  this air will modify VERY little. Thus, we can expect the very cold weather to continue into the new year. Through New Year's Day we can expect bitter cold high and low temperatures to persist averaging about 25° BELOW normal.

   In addition, whenever we have even a slight breeze or stronger expect dangerously low wind chills to occur. Such will be the case through early tonight and again later Friday into Saturday (when it will be more of stiff wind vs. a gentle breeze). We'll also have more clouds on Friday through Saturday along with the chance for some periods of light snow or snow showers as a clipper moves through. With this low's passing brisk N and NW winds will kick in later Saturday along with a re-enforcing shot bitter and frigid air moving in for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

   There is very little change to the temperature forecast through 2 Jan; The "relatively" warmest day will be on Saturday when temperatures will make into the teens (perhaps some 20° or low 20s south of Albany). Otherwise, daytime highs will be in the single numbers to 10° and nighttime lows well below zero.

   Last but not least...there is the chance for a snowfall next week in the Wednesday through Friday period. I am already getting messages and emails regarding this possible snowfall. All I will say is that there is a possibility for snow. As is always the case track, intensity and speed of the storm (aka duration) will determine what we get or don't get. Be prepared for a lot of postings on this possible "storm" on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or wherever else they are posted, to.

   Remember: check the SOURCE of the post. If its just a map of some model's snowfall forecast I would discount it. ANYONE can post a map of some computer forecast model without having any knowledge of what they are posting. SHARE any posts responsibly, too. Finally, please don't ask me about what "others" are saying we're going to get. I can only speak for myself. Obviously I'll have more on this over the days to come. Hope everyone is staying warm.

Arctic Cold Wave on the Way

Starting tonight arctic air will sweep down across the region. Over the next 7 days re-enforcing "shots" of arctic air will help to replenish the frigid air over us.

The 6-10 day and 8-14 day temperature outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) indicate a high probability for below normal temperatures from today thru 18 January 2018.

How cold will it get? Well the average high for Albany through the end of this month is 32° and for Glens Falls its 29°.  I'm forecasting high temperatures on Wednesday in the mid to upper teens for both of these locations locations.  For the Thursday through next Monday (New Year's Day)  forecast highs for  Glens Falls will only be in the mid and upper SINGLE numbers while Albany's highs will be near 10° or 12°.  In addition there is a very high probability for widespread SUB-ZERO nighttime temperatures in many locations over the next several nights, too. The last time Albany had a minimum temperature BELOW 0° was February 15th 2016. (Glens Falls has already had 2 days with low temperatures below 0° this month).

An if these very cold temperatures weren't bad enough when combined with periods of gusty winds in the forecast (like for tonight and Wednesday (Dec 27th)  you can expect it to feel even colder , Expect wind chills ranging from -10° to -25°, with some of the higher terrain perhaps getting to -40°!  Additional periods of blustery conditions late Thursday and again later Saturday into next Monday could result in more periods of extremely low and DANGEROUS wind chill conditions.

Stay warm! Remember to not leave your pets outside in the cold.