We enjoyed an unseasonably mild and brighter late December day, as temperatures climbed to 62 degrees, 25 degrees above normal. Clouds will thicken tonight ahead of the next, in the latest of a series of Pacific disturbances.
A potent wave of low pressure developing in the lower Mississippi Valley Plains will track through the region Sunday, with rainfalls approaching 1 inch. Periods of rain late tonight, along with a few rumbles of thunder, will break up into showers on Sunday, with increasing southwesterly winds gusting to nearly 40 mph. A stray thunderstorm with strong winds is possible.
Clouds and isolated sprinkles early Monday will give way to some sunshine, as low pressure departs the Great Lakes. Temperatures will remain quite mild, in the low 50s.
A disturbance tracking from the central Plains to Ohio on Tuesday will bring another period of rain, but this time followed by seasonably cold weather on New Year's Day, with a few rain and snow showers.
Colder air will prevail later in the week into the weekend, with temperatures below freezing, following the passage of an Alberta clipper system Friday that could bring a light snowfall.
