Meteorological Spring Starts March 1st.

Winter is running out of time whether you measure it by the 3 coldest months (Meteorological Winter), which ends tonight Feb. 28th at midnight or astronomically with the Vernal Equinox on March 20th.  The sun is getting stronger every day, and will have an impact on our weather later this week when we should reach 40 degrees for the first time since the 24th of January. 

The massive spinning area of low pressure over the northeastern United States is slowly weakening, but it is not quite through with us yet.  The moisture entrained in the system will continue to maintain a solid to broken  deck of stratus clouds over the Stateline though late Monday night.  The last in a series of disturbances will rotate in from the north on Monday bringing a chance of some light snow and flurries across the area.  No measurable snow is expected.  A huge Canadian high currently over Hudson Bay begin to take control of midwestern weather on Tuesday drying the atmosphere down to the point where skies will be partly sunny. This high pressure center is not exceptionally cold, so high temperatures will just be a little below average through midweek, but will warm a little each day to the point where 40 degrees will likely occur as we head into next weekend.  One thing that you will notice as week get into midweek, Thursday, and Friday will be all the sunshine.  It is bound to give you a lift in your spirits. The modified Canadian high will be sitting right on top of Illinois on Friday, and shift to eastern Kentucky by Saturday.  Once it moves to the east skies will begin to pick up some clouds again on Saturday and Sunday, but it should be fairly mild with highs in the low 40's over the weekend.
By Meteorologist
Eric Nefstead