12/19 – Rob Knight’s “Rain Moving In” Morning Forecast

Only real weather concerns will be during the first few days of the forecast period as two different upper level features will move through the area. The first will affect the area today and tonight…which will result in widespread showers and isolated t-storms. Brief periods of moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible, but generally expect rainfall totals through tonight to be less than an inch. Temperatures today will be near normal for this time of the year, topping out in the low to mid 60s.

The second, and stronger system moves in quickly following today’s feature. This system will bring a second round of rain to the area, and will also be accompanied by a much colder air mass. Rainfall is generally expected to be light, with totals only forecast around a quarter of an inch for the Thursday and Thursday night time frame. The cold air mass will begin to move in by mid-morning, so expect highs to occur relatively early in the day with falling temperatures through the afternoon.

The bigger concern impact-wise will be potential for some fairly strong winds Thursday afternoon through Thursday night.

Sustained winds of 20 to 25 mph with higher gusts will be possible in the area and with many people having decorated their homes for the holidays. If not secured properly before the winds pick up, a few Santas could take flight.

Cold air advection continues on Friday and highs are generally expected to top out in the mid-50s with winds gradually calming through the day. By Saturday, a more zonal flow pattern will take control of the area’s weather and a gradual warming trend will begin. Expect temperatures to rise above normal by Sunday afternoon and remain fairly steady through Christmas Day with lows in the upper 40s and lower 50s and highs generally in the upper 60s to possibly just over 70 degrees.