Cold Snap Ending, Big Weekend Warm Up...

After a cold, crispy start, today began the warm up under brilliant sunshine and light winds.   We are running about a month early regarding cold snaps in the Fall.   At this time of the year, the cold doesn't linger and we'll have to wait until late November or December for the cold to lock in.

Yesterday Nicondra showed us the earliest 40 or below dates with Hannah Gard updating that graphic this morning..  Zack earlier this week pointed out the typical date for this cold is mid November into December.

But changes are coming as surface high pressure shifts to the east.  So far there are no signs of Gulf moisture surging in, but notice the warming to our west.

The upper low over the NE will lift out allowing the warmer air to surge back over the eastern states this weekend.   Our next front won't be coming until late Tuesday into Wednesday of next week.   Hopefully, enough moisture will allow for some showers to develop ahead of it.

This week's drought monitor clearly shows an expanding area of dryness over the Plains extending down to the Gulf Coast.  We need some widespread rainfall just to get river levels back up.  

The Mississippi River level at the Carrollton gage is only 2 feet.  Compare that to the high Spring levels of 12-16 feet.  The River Forecast Center basically flat lines the level for the next 7-10 days.   Hopefully some tropical moisture from the Pacific could tie into next week's cold front?

Tropical Storm Roslyn is expected to become a hurricane before reaching the Mexican coast.  IF some of her moisture could survive the mountains and couple with next week's front, our best chance for rain appears late Tuesday into Tuesday night.

The air behind that front will not be nearly as cold as this past front.  

With clear skies, light winds and comfy cool temps, it's a nice evening to be out and about.  I'll be back watering my plants tomorrow.  Stay tuned!