Arctic air now in the area !

Although skies will be sunny today expect highs of only around 40. Overnight lows are forecast to be in the 15-20 degree range so please take precautions ! It will still be chilly on Tuesday with highs in the upper 40s but lows will fall to only around 30 Tuesday night. By Thursday we will see temps rebound to around 70 ! Another front will move into the area by the weekend but the air behind it will not be quite as cold. Looking ahead to next week, a ridge of high pressure out in the Plains may deflect more cold air further to our east than directly over us. We are looking into the weather patterns for Christmas and we are getting some idea about what the weather may be like then, but I will hold off on that for a day or two as we get a better feel for what may happen. Rex

Arctic cold front coming !!!!

A strong cold front will push across our area Saturday night and bring with it a good chance for rain and possibly some isolated thunderstorms. After the frontal passage, Sunday promises to be very windy and down right cold with highs in the 40s and wind chills in the 30s ! A hard freeze is expected both Sunday and Monday nights. A gradual warm-up will take over by the end of next week before another front moves through. It is that time of year !! Have a great weekend ! Rex

Why it is NOT snowing.

Pretty much we have some precipitation above us and it is on the verge of snow and possibly a rain-snow mix. The problem is that the atmosphere is VERY DRY from the surface up to about 10,000 feet so any thing that attempts to fall to the surface evaporates before reaching the surface. Almost all of the ingrediants are there for a rain-snow mixture, it is the dry air that is causing the problem. More cold air is on tap tonight with a hard freeze forecast with lows near 20 and some folks could see upper teens so take precautions. More cold Arctic air arrives late in the weekend into early next week. Will we have more chances for snow before the winter is over ? Yes, I think we will so for all of you snow lovers, don't give up yet !!!! Rex

Snow possible in the area overnight !!!!

Latest data indicates that we could get a dusting of snow and possibly even a half inch overnight mainly between midnight and 9:00 am Wednesday. One or two models say an inch is possible ! Nick Ortego will have the latest information after new data comes in this afternoon so be sure and stay tuned to WDAM-TV and wdam.com as well as Facebook and Twitter!! Rex

Hard freeze tonight !

Temps will drop into into the 20-22 degree range tonight which will result in a hard freeze for the entire WDAM viewing area so take precautions today. Make sure your outside pipes are wrapped and also make sure you leave your water dripping a little as well. Of course don't forget about the elderly and other folks that may need help in staying warm and the family pets as well. There is a slight chance that we may see a snow shower later Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning as a strong upper level system moves overhead. Most of the moisture associated with this system will not be heavy enough to reach the surface, but if it does it will fall in the form of snow. Little if any accumulation is expected at this time but we will continue to monitor the system. It will mainly be a dry week and cool but by Friday temps will recover into the lower 60s for highs. By Saturday we will see a chance for a shower as front approaches with highs in the upper 60s. By Sunday the cold front will pass through with windy conditions expected and a slight chance for a shower. That front will be followed by colder air again starting early next week. Rex

Mild start to weekend then much colder !

Today and Saturday will be mild with highs in the 60s. A cold front will sweep through Saturday night and that will be the beginning of a much colder weather pattern setting up in the state that should last well into next week. Some models indicate that there will be just enough moisture in the air to produce a flurrie or two of snow as a disturbance moves overhead Tuesday night. At this time no accumulation is expected. Many nights next week will dip well into the 20s with afternoon highs mainly in the lower 50s and possibly just upper 40s. As we get a better handle on the temps we will update our forecasts. Have a great weekend ! Rex

Even colder weather pattern setting up for next week !

Several fronts will sweep through the Pine Belt over the next seven days. The first will be on Saturday with highs that day in the upper 60s then falling into the 30s overnight. Highs on Sunday will only be in the lower 50s and lows by Monday morning will be in the mid 20s-a hard freeze. Monday through Wednesday looks even colder with highs maily in the 40s and lows in the 20s ! We may have to adjust the temps downward some as we get a better handle on the extent of the cold air. Stay tuned ! Rex