Mild weather is looking likely at the end of the seven-day forecast.
However, the Valley will need to get past another week or so of chilly wintertime conditions. Temperatures for the next six days will struggle to get above freezing, well below average, with multiple rounds of snow looking possible.
That first round comes today, on the backside of that impactful rainy/snowy system we got yesterday. As a cold front moved through yesterday, temperatures will only peak in the mid-20s today, and with decent winds out of the northwest, windchills will only be in the teens. Northwest breezes will also be conducive to lake effect snow, primarily impacting those north of Interstate 80. As a lake affects snow tapers overnight, lows will drop down to near 20.
A brief moment of high pressure will work into our area on Friday. A clipper system is also forecast to move just to our south, prompting travel concerns for anybody who is looking to travel south into West Virginia or southern Ohio. However, we will stay dry, albeit below average, with highs struggling above 30. A separate clipper system could move through overnight, giving us some scattered flurries.
That clipper system will come with a strong cold front. While snow may be a concern in the morning, we will quickly turn our attention to dropping temperatures throughout the day and making it feel bitterly cold overnight. At the same time, a third clipper system will move by, this one the closest strike to our area. While leaning south, travel impacts are currently expected, and we are setting up for some early evening to late-night snowfall from this system.
Lake effect snow will drop on the backside come Sunday. Highs will only be around 20°, almost 20° below average, with the strongest bands of snow for those north of Route 422. While it will still be bitterly cold overnight, with the thermometer dropping into the low teens, winds will slightly subside.
A fourth clipper system could move through our area on Monday – this time passing to our north. This one won’t be as impactful as the previous one, though it could bring some scattered flurries in the far northern reaches of our viewing area in the afternoon and evening. Expect another chilly day – with highs in the low 20s and lows in the low teens.
After Monday, it seems that Mother Nature is giving us a break from these chilly, wintertime conditions. A day of transition will ensue on Tuesday, before highs could reach around 40 on Wednesday, the highest we’ve seen for the entire month.