Winter Returns Friday

After enjoying temperatures between 55-60 this afternoon and a quiet day Thursday, our attention will turn to an area of low pressure that is going to slide out just to our south Friday morning, bringing a period of snow to the region starting during the predawn hours of Friday and ending by early Friday afternoon. There could be a little mixing with rain/sleet near the coast. Thursday looks partly sunny, with some increase in clouds during the afternoon and highs ranging from the upper 40's-low 50's (north) to the low-mid 50's (south). Lows will drop into the upper 20's-low 30's late Thursday night/early Friday morning. By the time the snow ends early Friday afternoon, accumulations will likely range from 2"-5" south of Hartford, CT, with lower amounts to the north. 1"-3" amounts are more likely from Hartford to near the MA border. At this time it looks like much of MA may see less than 1" due to the distance away from the track of the fairly weak low pressure center. The high temperature will be around 40 degrees Friday, however Arctic air will begin to spill back into the region by Friday night along with a gust northwest wind (oh, yea). This will result in many icy surfaces by Friday night, as melted snow refreezes. Highs may not get out of the 20's Saturday and will struggle to reach the low 30's Sunday. Lows over the weekend will be in the single numbers & teens. Winds will be gusty Friday night & Saturday, with somewhat less wind Sunday. Like they used to say in the TV commercials "But Wait! There's More!" - The models are also suggesting the potential for a significant snowfall Tuesday into Wednesday. Stay tuned. (Now you know why I just laughed when you asked me late last month when it was 70 degrees, if we were done with the snow).