Frosty Night, Brief Warm Up, Colder Late Week.

For my subscribers, today's podcast focused on the fluctuations in the polar vortex and how it affects our weather.  The upper pattern has definitely shifted to a colder pattern for the eastern states, but there has been a huge change over the source region for the Arctic air.  Gone are the 50-60 degrees below zero temps, replaced by more moderate/seasonal temps. The coldest air has retreated back over Alaska.

So even though we will see several cold fronts this week, none appear likely to bring us any hard freezes south of Lake P.  The NWS forecast graphics support that.

I think Tuesday morning lows will be lower than the NWS forecast since skies are clear & winds will go light.  I like the FOX 8 forecast better.

Obviously, you have to protect pets & plants, but pipes are no problem.

The weak upper low coming out of the southwest has little surface moisture to work with.  As the next dip in the upper air arrives, the cold front should be dry.  But look at the forecast upper pattern.

Normally, that would mean freezing temps for us.  However, the bitter cold over Canada has moderated so much that the coming chill will just be basic January chill

With dew points in the 20s and light winds, many spots will reach freezing in the morning.  Protect plants & pets? Certainly, but no need to drip water.

We are approaching the historically coldest 2 weeks of the year.  I see below normal temps for the next 2 weeks, but the core of the cold stays up over the Great Lakes.  Could that change?  Sure, but right now this is basic winter time Gang.  If you want to see today's podcast, sign up at bobbreck.com for $2/month.  The reason it's not free is that there are no commercials/advertisements to sit through.  Come join us as Zack Fradella is up next, followed by John Snell.  Stay tuned!

Polar Vortex Podcast, Colder Blast Coming Late Week.

 Many of you have wondered when will we get cold and stay cold?  In the Winter, that usually depends on the deepness of the East Coast upper trough.  Sometimes when it cuts off, it's referred to as the Polar Vortex.  More correctly, it's called a lobe of the Polar Vortex.

My next podcast this week will go into detail about this feature and you can watch it by subscribing to my podcast for $2/month at bobbreck.com.  Next up after that is FOX 8 morning meteorologist Zack Fradella talking about his job and family as a new father.

It's almost perfect timing regarding the Polar Vortex as later this week models are indicating just that.

The current set up has a broad trough over the Northeast.  Note how that changes for later this week.

The current trough lifts out with a much deeper trough digging deeper into the Southeast by Thursday.  That could bring us a hard freeze to the North Shore and freezing temps to the South Shore for Friday & Saturday mornings.  I went back to my old house today to bring my hanging baskets into my He-Shed for the rest of this week.

Our current air mass is cold, but not from the Arctic.  It has brought back more January like temps instead of the warmth of last week.  Dew points are very low and that should limit any rain chances for this week.

If you're dressed for it, the next several days should feel delightful.  Not sure why the FOX 8 extended has a warm up on Friday.  I see the late week Arctic Blast being stronger and we will need to pay attention regarding the pipe rule for Friday & Saturday mornings.  My next podcast will air either on Monday or Tuesday.  All subscribers will receive an e-mail notice alerting you it's ready.  Stay tuned!