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Big change in weather by next weekend... Snow?
Posted: 09.30.2012 at 12:57 PM
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High pressure continues to bring calm and pleasant weather to the UP, but next weekend will see a big change.
Sunday's highs will mainly be in the 60s, a few degrees above average. Sunshine should be plentiful throughout the day with a light southerly breeze as the high pressure center moves eastward. Here's the current surface map from the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (it updates automatically).
Sunday night will remain clear, but a few clouds will move in from the west overnight ahead of the next system. Thanks to a southwest wind, lows will only fall into the mid 40s. Inland lows may see upper 30s.
On Monday, a cold front will enter the western UP in the morning and make its way eastward. The front in question is rather weak and won't bring much of a drop in temperatures at all, but it should bring more clouds and perhaps a little rain. Any rainfall will more likely be just a sprinkle. Monday's highs ahead of the front will be warm in the upper 60s to around 70.
Monday night's lows will be in the 40s with a continued chance for some light rain east. Skies should clear up behind the front overnight.
Tuesday will see more sunshine and above average temperatures in the 60s.
Wednesday is now looking like it will see some rain in the east at night, but much of the UP will remain dry. A major change comes Thursday with the next low pressure system and cold front. Rain is likely for much of Thursday through Saturday. As temperatures drop significantly with highs in the low 50s at best, Friday may see some rain and snow mix.
Accumulation is iffy at best. It's difficult to say this far in advance. In the event of any frozen precip, accumulation would likely melt very quickly. For reference, last year's first measurable snowfall (greater than trace amounts) was on November 9 with 11.4".
Check out the current fall foliage map. Much of the inland counties are in peak or near peak colors, but I'm still seeing some green near Lake Superior.
Since skies should be mostly clear on Sunday night, you may want to give a glance northward for some aurora action. It seems to be weak, but it may be visible near the horizon. Learn more here.
I will be on vacation for the next two weeks, so I may miss the first snow of the season up here if the forecast verifies for Friday. Wesley and Karl will be handling your weekend weather. I will still try and remain active on Facebook and post any interesting weather pictures I find around Chicago and northern Indiana.