Hard Freeze Coming. Use Sunday To Finish Preps...

The thinking hasn't changed regarding the Arctic Blast heading down to the Gulf Coast.  It will arrive on Monday with Tuesday staying in the 30s & the coldest morning coming Wednesday.  We are, after all, in historically the coldest 3 weeks of the year.  Some of the coldest record lows (teens) occur in January & early February.  This year will not disappoint.  We begin with today's climate records and show you what the computer model (GFS) is predicting for Wednesday.  The record low of 15 at MSY in 1962 came during a 5 day period where the highs never got above freezing.

Fortunately, we have time to finish any outside preparations as Sunday will see a brief warm up to 60+.  But get ready for next week as it won't feel pretty.

Hannah Gard showed us this morning that the upper "Polar Vortex" remains up over eastern Canada, but the surface air mass is so bitterly cold (40-50 below) that the density of the cold will plow it down off the northern Gulf coast.  As the maps indicate, there is a potential for some sleet/snow on parts of the North Shore as the front slides southward on Monday.

What if a low forms along the front as it gets to our south?  Snow geeks pay attention!  But before then on Sunday, see the warm surge over Texas.

The temperature plunge behind the front (30-40 degrees) is extreme.  Look at the National Weather Service's home page.

So get ready Gang.  I don't want to hear anyone whining "but I didn't expect it to be this cold!"  

What I want you to watch is the upper storm plowing into the Pacific NW.  If we are to get any snow, it will be from that.  

Winter often brings some great snow storms.  This one coming Monday into Tuesday could get close to us, but it will whiten a good part of LA/MS/AL to our north.  Travel plans later next week might need to be delayed.  Enjoy Sunday 'cause it's coming!  Stay tuned!