Possible Freeze Far North, Wrap Those Pipes...

As many of you know, I was born and raised in Hammond, IN, where NOBODY wrapped their pipes.  Why?  Because when homes were built, the water/sewage lines were buried 4 feet under ground to protect them from sub-zero winter cold.  Only mobile homes had to wrap their pipes since they were exposed above ground.  So when I arrived here in 1978, I wondered why all the weathercasters kept telling people to wrap their pipes when a freeze was coming.  Once wrapped, why would one unwrap their pipes?  Maybe a stupid question?

I showed you the upper pattern that is bringing the Canadian chill down into the lower 48.  This cut off upper low will happen several times this coming cold season with the media calling it the "Polar Vortex".  It is bringing lake effect snows to the Great Lakes including some flakes flying as far south as Chicago.

L love watching Zack Fradella in the mornings on FOX 8 as he creates some meaningful graphics instead of just showing what the models say.

As you can see, IF this predicted frost/freeze threat becomes reality, it will be roughly one month early from the average/normal dates. Since Lake Pontchartrain is still 70+, the warmer lake waters will keep the South Shore well above those mid 30s on the North Shore.  The coldest mornings will be Wednesday & Thursday as the winds decrease.

Tomorrow's highs will be tricky.  Dallas is 66 but there may be lingering cloud cover making it difficult to get much above 62-65 here.  Look how much drier the air is behind the front.  Dew points are in the 30s & 40s which, if you're dressed for it, should be great feeling air.

There are a few light showers behind the front, but don't expect much more than enough to wet the ground.  Our mostly dry pattern will continue for the rest of this week with our next real front not coming until NEXT Tuesday.

So this front will bring noticeably cooler air, but it's not December Gang.  The core of the cold will stay well to our north & east, but some parts of the far North Shore will dip into the 30s for Wednesday & Thursday mornings.  The main issue tomorrow will be the brisk northerly winds.  Get out and enjoy the welcomed weather change.  Stay tuned!