Getting Nervous About Next Week...

Last night I mentioned the cold would be coming in spurts and that thinking hasn't changed.  We are going through the 1st cool down tonight that will be followed by a secondary surge on Friday.  Despite bright sunshine Thursday and Friday will struggle to reach the mid 50s.  A slight warm up comes over the weekend with another strong cold front coming next Monday.   The local NWS feels (because guidance says it won't) that front will be no worse that what we have had so far this Winter.  However, I'm seeing the bitter cold leave Alaska and build over northern, central & eastern Canada where it's 40-45 below tonight.   Computer models keep hinting at a piece of the "Polar Vortex" will drop down over the Great Lakes for next week but keep it moving more eastward and not southward.  That is why NWS thinks the core of the cold won't reach us.   I always worry when 20-30 below is predicted to push down to Chicago.  Any slight dip in the Polar Vortex could bring the chill farther to the south and that is why I'm going on the Freeze Watch for next week.  In the short term, some freezing temps can be expected the next couple of mornings on the North Shore and away from the Lake south, but the real threat comes next week.   We'll be dry for several days with our next rain threat coming next week.   Todays rains were 1-2"+ so we really need some time to dry out.  The next 4 days should be a treat (as long as you're dressed for it) with abundant sunshine so get out and enjoy it.  Stay tuned!