Brief Warm Up Could Bring Strong Storms...

The bitter Arctic cold is finally on retreat, but not for long as a cold front will sweep through after dark bringing back some of the Arctic Chill.  Fortunately it won't be as intense, but more freezes are coming, especially on the North Shore for Friday & Saturday.  The brief warmer fling could bring us strong storms here after dark, but they as more likely to our east as SPC (Storm Prediction Center) indicates.

Arkansas & Tennessee are getting buried by heavy snow with a band of freezing rain and sleet (pink color) with just cold rain south of that.  I have been waiting for storms to fire off down over the Gulf, but so far that is not happening.    The warm sector has surged into SE LA. just south of NOLA where temps have reached 60+.

It looks like the center of the low may move right over NOLA keeping the threat of severe storms south down along the coast.  Some 70s have reached the rigs off our coast, but that warm air won't get up to us.

Cloud cover remains extensive around us and we won't see lots of sunshine until Friday.  Note the super Arctic cold (below zero) has modified across the plains and our next cold blast will not be as bad here.

As you can see, Friday morning will again have freezing temps. so I am not taking any of my plants out of my shed until this weekend.   FYI, the 100 watt lightbulbs worked great and all my potted plants appear OK, including my huge Crown of Thorns.   We need to be patient with getting the warmer air back.   At least we can see the ground even though it has turned brown.  Check these photos from up north.

These pics are from my cousin Laura Noecker in Griffith, Indiana about 20 miles SE of Hammond.  If you can, zoom in to the bottom picture to see her big dog trying to keep his head above the snow.  Chicagoland has had 9 straight days of snowfall totally between 15-30".  Not only is it hard on the animals, but think about having to go to work.

These pics are from my Niece Brianna Scivinsky in Whiting, Indiana.  First you have to dig your way out to your car.  Then you have to find your car!  Fortunately she drives a Jeep!  After you dodge the falling icicles and get to go, Look at the roads.

Totally snow covered and iced over making travel slow & difficult.   Have to be at work at 8 AM?  Best allow for double and triple travel times not counting the 10-15 minutes to dig out your car.   So all you snow lovers,  go drive to it.  Let's not wish it for here.  Look at how our friends in Texas and Oklahoma are suffering from it.  Can you imagine being without power with outside temps. below zero?   I'd love to be in home generator sales after this!   Keep up on the weather for later today.  The highest threat for strong storms comes between 5-9 PM depending on where you live.  If I see something bad coming, I might post around dark.  Stay tuned!