Milder temperatures into next week

 With another cold night and cold morning ahead this morning, some relief looks to be insight as we look at the weekend and beyond. This week was plagued with consistent snowfall and very cold temperatures, but into next week, the up and down pattern of this winter will continue as milder temperatures once again are set to return.

Through the day today, warm southerly air will help bump up temperatures near the 20-degree mark through the afternoon. However, it'll still be crucial to bundle up heading out this morning as at the time of writing these temperatures are near -5° across the state line. Luckily though the warmer southerly winds will help these temperatures climb through the day with clouds increasing as well.

Temperatures continue to climb into the next two days as well especially tomorrow where southerly winds will continue to help transport warmer air north. Through the next few days including today, isolated flurries will remain possible but expect mainly milder conditions and even instances of sunshine especially on Sunday.

The up and down pattern that has been the story of this winter looks to continue with it already starting this weekend as temperatures will get into the mid 30's on Saturday. Beyond the weekend into next week, this trend looks to flatten out but not in the way you may expect for January. Temperatures the next week as of now all look to be above freezing starting Monday!

Monday and Tuesday a shortwave trough is expected to continue to bring in warmer air from the south and west while as we go into the middle of the week strong ridging and northwest flow is expected to develop. Most often patterns such as these rely on temperature gradients between locations to determine where the most concentrated jet stream winds set up as well as cold temperatures. As it looks right now, we seem to be just on the southwest side of the core of this jet stream which would put us just on the cusp of milder conditions.

This will last for the majority of the week however as Friday comes around, a cutoff low system is expected to develop and move into the Midwest Thursday evening or Friday morning which would bring not only warmer conditions but higher precipitation chances as well.

The 7-Day forecast translates this well as by Monday strong westerly flow aloft will move in with some southerly winds near the low levels pushing us up above freezing. Then by Monday evening the core of the jet stream will be just to our northeast where it looks to settle through the week allowing for us to stay right on the gradient of cooler temperatures. Expect a milder weak ahead but don't put the hats and gloves away just yet!