Have You Updated Your FOX 8 Weather App?

There are signs that a strong. possibly severe, band/line of T-Storms will rumble across our state later tonight with the greatest threat in SE LA/MS coming between 10 PM & 2 AM.

The top graphic has SPC (Storm Prediction Center) placing us in the slight risk for severe weather tonight. The next satellite view shows the converging/shifting of winds with a low level brisk flow moving to the north off the Gulf, a strong blast of colder air coming out of Canada with an upper  jet streak from the west blasting across Texas. My oldest son (Rob) in Longmont, CO. sent me these wind gusts as this current storm blasted the Rockies yesterday.   A Wind Advisory has been posted here as wind gusts could exceed 40-50 mph later tonight.

Since the surface low is so far to the north, very warm air is racing out ahead of it with Chicago approaching 60!   On the backside (western side) of this storm, heavy snows are falling with 30-40 mph gusts creating blizzard conditions.  Note how single digit temperatures have moved into the northern plains.

The top graphic is this morning's upper wind flow with the one below it the forecast for Christmas Eve and the next one being Christmas Day.  Since temperatures up in Canada are 25-30 below zero, that chill will plunge into the lower 48 bringing a freeze threat down to us for Friday & Saturday mornings.  The core of the cold should be to our east, but I see the North Shore dealing with 24-28 degrees for lows and 30-35 on the South Shore.  Those numbers could get even colder if the trough deepens more than expected.

We are dealing with brisk south winds through at least midnight with the cold front arriving around 2-3 AM.  Thursday's high will be at midnight (65-70) with the daylight highs not getting out of the 40s!  Even if we don't get freezing temps. south of Lake P.  the cold, strong winds will rapidly dehydrate plants so I moved most of my potted plants into my "He-Shed".

The shed will keep out the winds and I have a 100 watt light bulb that will keep temps above freezing.

I still have a lot of variegated ginger plants in ground that are over 6 feet tall.   I'm sure they'll be wacked back by the coming chill with another cold blast likely for New Year's weekend.   Even though I don't think it's necessary, I'm going out to place my insulated faucet covers (very cheap at Lowe's or Home Depot) on before the real cold comes.   Trying to do that when it's already cold is tough on my old fingers.   You still have a couple of daylight hours left to get your yard ready.  Pay attention for the possible strong storms overnight with your FOX 8 Weather App on your cell phone.  Stay tuned!