After a cold stretch (8 of the past 12 days have been below average here across central Indiana), we’ll be on the milder side of a storm for a change tonight into Wednesday.
This will not only lead to a briefly milder period (and by brief, we mean BRIEF) late tonight into early Wednesday, but will also deliver a round of rain. While we’ll rise into the 30s later this evening, temperatures will continue to rise during the overnight- potentially into the lower 40s ahead of the cold front. Drizzle (perhaps freezing drizzle at the onset) will move in later this evening, but the heavier rain will hold off until after midnight. Periods of moderate rain can be expected between 2a and 8a Wednesday.
Widespread 0.50″ to 0.75″ can be expected across central Indiana.
The cold front will sweep through the state during the day Wednesday and temperatures will begin to fall once again Wednesday afternoon. A brief period of light snow is possible as the precipitation shield departs Wednesday afternoon, but this isn’t expected to be a big deal. We should be back below freezing around 5p to 6p Wednesday.
From there, the pattern will remain active and quite wintry. We’re tracking (3) individual pieces of upper level energy that will likely be enough to generate at least light snow into the weekend. The initial disturbance is associated with an arctic front that will blow through town Thursday evening. These are notorious for igniting snow showers and heavier “bursts.” You’ll certainly notice an increasingly bitter feel Thursday PM.
A couple additional disturbances are likely ahead of a reinforcing plunge of arctic air early next week. The system Saturday evening into early Sunday looks strongest at this time and will be capable of depositing a more widespread light accumulating snow across the region.
Yet another arctic intrusion is set to invade before we put a wrap on January. This will likely also be accompanied by additional opportunities of accumulating snow early next week.