The Mild Weather Continues Through the Holidays...

There is not any indication of a breakdown in the mild weather pattern the Stateline has enjoyed through December any time soon.  Above normal temperatures are expected to continue into the first week of the new year. It's good news for last minute shoppers  not having to deal with snow and ice, and the dangerous road conditions associated with winter weather systems.  It's also great news for anyone doing any traveling across our part of the Midwest.  It is not good news for winter weather enthusiasts,  skiers, ice fishermen, and snowmobilers, and of course... those folks who plow snow.   

Synoptic conditions today show a ridge of high pressure stretching from eastern Wisconsin southwest across the Stateline, through northeastern Missouri across Kansas.  The ridge will shift southeast today as a vigorous disturbance near International Falls, Minnesota moves to Wisconsin this afternoon.  After an early morning start with temperatures in the upper teens early under clear skies, sunshine will give way to high clouds this morning, and more widespread cloudiness this afternoon.  Light snow associated with the low pressure may brush southern Wisconsin with a little light snow during the afternoon, and a flurry cannot be ruled out for the US 20 corridor later this afternoon.  However, the air is very dry, and most of the snow that develops will evaporate before it reaches the ground.  It will be mostly cloudy with the passing of the trof. of low pressure this evening.  Clouds will decrease overnight becoming mostly clear by late tonight.  The overnight low will be in the low 20's.  On Saturday it will be sunny to mostly sunny, and it will be quite breezy in the afternoon with winds running 15 to 25 mph and gusty.  The temperature will top out in the upper 30's.  Keep in mind that the average high for December 24th is 31 degrees, and the average low is 16 degrees.  On Christmas Eve it will be partly cloudy with a low in the middle 20's.  Christmas Day will be sunny to mostly sunny, continued mild with a high around 40 degrees with a strong breeze from the west to northwest. On Monday high pressure will move east of the area, and a strong southwesterly flow will develop in advance of the next system  over the plains.  Temperatures will be quite mild for this time of year with a high in the lower 40's.  The next weak cold front will pass through the area on Monday night as a new disturbance develops over Mississippi.  Enough moisture may be in place so that some light rain and light snow showers will develop on Monday night, and continue into Tuesday morning. It will become partly sunny by Tuesday afternoon with a high in the upper 30's.  Similar high temperatures can be expected on Wednesday and Thursday.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!