Weekend Starts Cool and Dry, Ending Mild and Soggy

Winds were still with us for the day on Friday, but they brought in much cooler temperatures to finish out the last full work week of 2018. These average conditions stay with us as the weekend starts cool and dry, ending mild and soggy.

Dry and Cool for Saturday

Just what the doctor ordered, a calm and quiet weather day.

This morning's forecast surface chart. (WPC) — This morning’s forecast surface chart. (WPC)

High pressure will be in control, meaning winds will continue out of the northwest and dry conditions will continue. Expect mostly sunny skies this afternoon, which should help bump our highs up to around 45º. Not a bad afternoon if you’re driving out to Diddle Arena to catch the Tops’ big matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Walk to the car afterwards might be on the chilly side, though, as temperatures will be falling tomorrow evening on their way to another overnight low near 30º.

Clouds Increase on Sunday

The telltale signs of our next weather system begin to show themselves during the day on Sunday.

...what was that? (Giphy) — …what was that? (Giphy)

That’s right, low pressure will be getting itself organized on to the south of here during the day and start to inch toward us. This will lead to winds out of the south and increasing cloud cover. The southerly winds will warm us up and increase our moisture content.

This is the NAM's output for a value called precipitable water tomorrow afternoon. To vastly oversimplify it, it shoes moisture content through the atmospheric column. Our wind is coming from the direction of the purple. (Pivotal Weather) — This is the NAM’s output for a value called precipitable water tomorrow afternoon. To vastly oversimplify it, it shoes moisture content through the atmospheric column. Our wind is coming from the direction of the purple. (Pivotal Weather)

Moisture will be streaming in, but things will stay dry during the day on Sunday. We’ll see a high upwards of 50º or so during the afternoon. Showers begin to move in overnight, as we only fall to about 45º.

2018’s Soggy Finish

What a way to finish a waterlogged year than with more rain. Not unlike this past Thursday, a low pressure system will move from the south and through the Great Lakes region, dragging a cold front along with it. With ample moisture and lift in place, there’s not much of a question that we’ll see rain move in.

Oh joy... (Pivotal Weather) — Oh joy… (Pivotal Weather)

Breezy southwesterly winds will once again grace us with their presence. And that not only means that Christmas wreath you haven’t brought in yet may end up two counties over, but that temperatures will rise well above average. Highs look to top out near 65º on Monday afternoon!

Or rather, the December version of this. (Giphy)

Rain should begin to move out during the evening hours. We may see a lingering shower leading up to midnight, but we should end 2018 and start 2019 with a cool low near 40º.

That just about does it for me! Follow our live weather feed @wxornotbg for the latest forecast and updates. Have a terrific Saturday!