Main threats
Friday morning: wintry mix that could impact morning travel
Summary
Big changes are coming, and this time that change is geared toward warmer weather!
You may have noticed the clouds this morning. We are very fortunate that these clouds moved in and stayed together. They kept our temps about 10 degrees warmer than they would have been under clearer skies this morning. These clouds should eventually break up, leading to partly to mostly sunny skies this afternoon.
For Friday, we’ll watch as warmer air begins to quickly work its way back into our region, bringing a chance of rain. If that rain arrives before temperatures get above freezing Friday morning, we could be dealing with a light wintry mix that could give you headaches if you’re out and about in the morning. Stay tuned and I’ll keep you posted. The chance of this is very low but one worth mentioning.
Then, the weather looks nice for Saturday. Highs will rebound nicely into the mid 50s. That mild weather sticks with us through the beginning of next week. Of course, if it gets warmer you know that means rain chances go back up. Indeed, we’ll be looking for things to turn wetter as we get into Sunday night and Monday.
The mild weather looks to continue into the work week.
Looking ahead…I can see no strong indications of any significant wintry precip through the middle of February.
Discussion
A big warm-up is on the way and you will notice quite the change in temperatures over the next five days. The big trough that has brought so much arctic air to the east will slide eastward and will be replaced by a big ridge that will bring an impressive temperature chance across the country. The city of Chicago could see an 80-degree warm-up over the next five days, going from -20s to nearly 60 degrees.
Such temperature swings can bring big thunderstorms in the spring, and we are quickly approaching that stormy season. Let’s hope that jetstream calms down before we get warm enough for it to cause t-storm havoc in our neck of the woods this spring.
Records
As I mentioned a few days ago, the winter of 1951 was not a kind one to Middle Tennessee. If you will recall, back on Tuesday the most crippling ice storm in Nashville’s history struck. Forty-eight hours later, snow began to fall on the city.
What is unique is that this wasn’t just any typical snowfall event. Normally, one inch of rain equals about 10 inches of snow. This snow was so wet and heavy that, even though 3.83″ of equivalent liquid precipitation fell, only a remarkably low snowfall total of 5.2″ was recorded. Keep in mind, though, that the snow was mixed with some freezing rain, so that kept snow totals down too. Still, this was as wet of a snow as you can get.
Now the city that was recovering from the worst ice storm in city history is recovering from the wettest, heaviest snow in city history. To say Nashville was kicked while they were down would be a severe understatement. This event is also the greatest one-day winter precipitation event in the city’s history.
Conditions will actually worsen in the coming days, if you can believe that. Stay tuned!
Almanac
Record high: 72 (2002)
Record low: -15 (1966)
Today’s sunset: 5:06
Tomorrow’s sunrise: 6:39
Today’s day length: 10 hrs 25 mins 04 secs
Tomorrow’s day length: 10 hrs 27 mins 44 secs
One year ago today
The day started out cold, with a morning low of 21 degrees, but the afternoon high warmed up to 51 degrees. Not too bad for the last day of January! No precipitation fell,skies were fair, and winds were light from the south. Sounds like we had a taste of spring on this final day of January!
Astronomy
Sky viewing conditions tonight: EXCELLENT
Moon phase: waning crescent, 17% illumination
I sent you all the night sky map link last night, so you have that now. Keep that link handy! It’s always cool to show someone else what you know of the night sky. It’s easy to impress folks by knowing a few constellations and maybe even some history behind them.
As for our night sky, the best show seems to come for those who are up early. The pre-dawn sky has quite the treat for those of you who rise and shine then. Look for the waning crescent moon and it will guide your eyes to where they need to be. Just before sunup, you can spot Jupiter, Venus, and possibly even Saturn. Planets, the moon, and the sun follow a line across the sky. You will never see any of them wonder more than a few degrees beyond that line.
News
Some of you have probably seen the image below that I shared on weatherTAP’s Facebook page last night. By the way, follow our weatherTAP social media if you want to see even more cool weather stuff! (https://www.facebook.com/weathertap/). The rails have to be heated in order for the trains to be able to run when temps get bitter cold. The heat keeps the rails from contracting and separating at the joints. The full story can be found here (https://bit.ly/2SgdPNT).
You all have a great day! The warm-up begins today!