Highlights:
- Fast-moving storm system scoots north
- Wintry mix Friday night?
- Christmas night t-storm?
Chilly, But “Less Harsh”…The average high and low in central Indiana to wrap up December fall in the upper 30s and lower 20s, respectfully. While much milder than we’ve been, temperatures will be very close to seasonal norms as we rumble into Christmas weekend. A fast-moving storm system will scoot across the Great Lakes region Wednesday afternoon. Reinforcing chilly air (not of arctic origin) will blow in Wednesday night and Thursday. While a flurry could fly Wednesday night into Thursday morning, this won’t be a big deal.
We’ll then shift our focus to Christmas. An initial wave of moisture could result in a light wintry mix as early as Friday night. Initial thinking is that this won’t be a big deal as a quick transition to rain should take place early morning Christmas Eve, but, nonetheless, we’ll keep a close eye on things. A light shower may still be around Christmas Eve, especially during the first part of the day. Christmas Day, itself, should feature mostly dry, windy, and mild conditions. Wind-blown showers are possible by afternoon before intensity increases Christmas night, including the potential of a strong thunderstorm. The cold front will sweep through the state Monday morning with colder and windy conditions continuing Monday into Tuesday.
Longer-term, we remain confident that the “relaxed” state in the bitterly cold pattern will continue. However, please know that doesn’t mean we won’t have to deal with wintry threats over the next couple of weeks. An active storm track will continue through the Ohio Valley…
Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:
- Snowfall: Dusting – 1″
- Rainfall: 0.50″ – 1.00″
The heavy, dense, arctic air will win out as evening turns into nighttime. Indianapolis is back to the freezing mark around 6p and into the 20s by 9p.
Temperatures will continue to fall through the day Sunday and by Monday morning central Indiana will be in the single digits, with below zero readings across northern parts of the state.
Wind chill values of 10 to 20 degrees below zero will be common by Sunday night into Monday morning across central Indiana.
Areas of drizzle and freezing drizzle will continue across the region into the early afternoon, but begin to expand in coverage and intensity once again by evening. Note the area of freezing rain expand across central IN, including Indianapolis, between 4p and 7p.
Freezing rain will eventually begin to mix with sleet and eventually transition to light snow during the overnight from northwest to southeast. A coating of snow to less than 1″ is a good bet on the new icy glaze that develops tonight.
2.) Our next storm will approach Friday evening. Clouds will increase and thicken as the day gives way to evening and a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will overspread central IN Friday night. With snow on the ground and the recent bitter blast, we have concerns the cold air won’t be “dislodged” as quickly as last weekend. The end result may be a period of accumulating freezing rain/ sleet Friday night into early Saturday morning. We’ll keep a close eye on things.
Regardless, icy precipitation will transition to rain during the day Saturday as temperatures briefly surge above freezing. “Brief” is the key word there as temperatures plummet Saturday night, courtesy of fresh arctic air oozing back in. A secondary wave of moisture may result in additional wintry issues Saturday night. Additionally, with sharply colder air returning, “flash freeze” concerns loom Saturday night, as well.
4.) Our attention then shifts to what may very well be an active Christmas week in the weather department. We continue to think the frigid times of this week will relax. That said, it’ll remain cold enough with a favorable storm track to result in wintry issues as Christmas nears. Far too early for specifics with this 10+ days out, but keep it in the back of your mind that the weather pattern continues to look active and at least present a threat of wintry precipitation at times Christmas week.
Fresh arctic air will pour into the region tomorrow evening, along with a gusty NW wind. Tuesday’s snow should be rather wet in nature so we don’t anticipate blowing/ drifting issues to result as the arctic hounds roar into town. However, there will likely be periods of flurries and scattered snow showers as the bitterly cold air arrives in the Wednesday-Thursday time frame and this could lead to light additional coatings in spots. The big weather story through mid and late week will be the bitter air. “Air that hurts” is what we’re calling it and wind chill values will approach 20 degrees below zero Wednesday night/ Thursday morning.