An arctic blast has introduced dangerously cold temperatures and strong winds that can produce frostbite in a very short period of time.  Meanwhile, a potential winter storm is brewing for early next week that can bring snow to many locations.

 

A series of weak troughs will continue to slide through the region producing scattered clouds and a few flurries.  Winds will be from the northwest at 10 to 20 mph with gusts over 25 mph at times.  Temperatures will only rise into the mid-10s to lower 20s while wind chills will range from the single digits below zero to mid-10s.  These wind chill temperatures can produce frostbite and hypothermia if protection from the cold is not used.  Layer up!

 

High pressure will produce clear skies to scattered cloud cover with a few flurries possible tonight through tomorrow.  Winds will be from the northwest at 5 to 15 mph.  Temperatures will range from the single digits to mid-10s for lows and upper 10s to mid-20s for highs.

 

An area of low pressure will approach on Sunday with increasing clouds and snow showers developing towards the evening.  Winds will veer to the northeast at 5 to 15 mph.  Temperatures will range from the single digits to mid-10s for lows and mid-20s to lower 30s for highs.

 

An area of low pressure will slowly track through the coastal waters Sunday night through Tuesday evening with periods of snow, possibly mixing with sleet and rain along the immediate coast.  The exact track of the low-pressure system remain uncertain and will have a significant impact on the snow forecast.  A track closer to the coast will introduce a higher risk for mixing along the coast and intense snowfall over the interior while a further east track would significantly reduce the impacts over the interior and northwestern suburbs of the major cities while the immediate coast would have significant snowfall.  Strong winds are expected with poor visibility and the potential for coastal flooding.  Temperatures on Monday will range from the upper 10s to mid-20s for lows and upper 20s to mid-30s for highs.  Temperatures on Tuesday will range from the upper 10s to mid-20s over the interior and upper 20s to lower 30s along the coast for lows and upper 20s to mid-30s for highs.

 

Snow showers will linger on Wednesday morning followed by clearing skies.  Temperatures will range from the upper 10s to the lower 20s over the interior and mid to upper 20s along the coast for lows and lower to mid-30s for highs.

 

High pressure will be in control on Thursday and Friday with scattered clouds and warming temperatures.  Temperatures on Thursday will range from the mid-10s to lower 20s for lows and mid to upper 30s for highs.  Temperatures on Friday will range from the lower to mid-20s over the interior and upper 20s to lower 30s along the coast for lows and upper 30s to lower 40s over the interior and mid to upper 40s along the coast for highs.