1/11 – Jeff Vorick’s “Severe Weather Potential” Thursday Evening Forecast

Temperatures remain mild this evening and overnight, and cloud cover fills back in after this evening. The main focus turns to the potential for severe thunderstorms tomorrow morning. A storm system will be making its way through the region over the next 24 hours. There is a 30-40% chance of rain tonight, with the possibility for thunderstorms after midnight. The window for severe thunderstorms will be between 5 AM and 11 AM with some activity bringing the possibility for strong wind gusts, small hail, and very isolated spin-ups. Tomorrow’s severe potential will not be like earlier this week.

A Wind Advisory will also be in effect from 6 AM through 6 PM tomorrow. Skies will clear out following the passage of the cold front by the afternoon, but do expect winds to gust over 30 MPH at times through much of the day, even outside of thunderstorms. Colder temperatures arrive for the weekend with freezing temperatures expected Saturday morning and below-average temperatures during the day.

The next rain chances arrive Monday with another frontal system. Thunderstorms are not expected but the cold air behind this system will be quite potent. Very cold temperatures are a concern early next week with a hard freeze likely for a couple of nights. Wind chill alerts may be necessary as well so be sure to think about preparations. There is not a lot of confidence in this element of the forecast yet but the possibility of cold air arriving before any moisture/precipitation exits brings the potential for some wintry precipitation Monday night.