The midweek weather continues cold and blustery and it's time to take a peek into the weekend. You've likely already heard about the potential for some unsettled weather on Saturday and I'll take a stab at that as we get into the forecast.
The weather will be turning less cold and less windy as we finish up the work week on a sunny Friday and start the weekend.
High pressure that has been creating a gradient between a storm out in the Atlantic and our region will slowly crest over the area Friday. This means winds are going to subside as the difference in pressure decreases between here and surrounding areas.
The lessening of the wind and an increase in temperatures will make it feel like a fine winter day. Sunset moves after 4:30 this weekend and civil twilight, that time of the day where you can still get around, pushes past 5 p.m. We're gaining about 10 minutes of daylight each week at this point and that number is continuing to rise.
We are about two weeks away from the average coldest temperatures of the winter, although the actual can occur before or after this mark.
The meteorological setup for Saturday shows energy from the northern jet stream -- we call this the polar branch -- will be diving south from Canada. At the same time, moisture along the southern branch, called the subtropical jet stream, will be pushing up from the Gulf of Mexico.
Those of you who would love a big snowstorm want to see these two areas merge. When you get the moisture from the south and the energy from the north, that's a good recipe for a classic nor'easter. Unfortunately, the odds heavily favor these two components staying apart. This means that Saturday will feature clouds and perhaps a little bit of a flurry or snow shower activity, but no storm.
We could see a coating to maybe an isolated inch of snow. The bulk of the moisture is going to slip south and out to sea, staying over the ocean. If you're wondering if it's possible that the forecast could change, the answer is absolutely. But it's just not likely.
As the system moves farther out into the Atlantic Saturday night, clear skies will return and Sunday looks sunny and chilly with temperatures in the 30s.
With clearing skies Sunday, be sure to check out Venus Sunday evening in the western sky about four hours after sunset. It's the most brilliant object beside the moon and is easily spotted.
Southern New England: Look for clouds on Saturday with some snow showers or flurries. Temperatures will be in the mid-30s. Look for temperatures in the upper 30s on Sunday with more sunshine.
Western Mass.: Clouds will keep temperatures just under freezing on Saturday. There may be a few snow showers. Temperatures on Sunday will get into the lower 30s with more sunshine and light winds
Cape and Islands: Look for temperatures just above freezing on Saturday with cloud cover and a few snow showers or perhaps a couple of rain showers over the islands. Sunday returns sunshine with temperatures 35 to 40.
Northern New England: Mostly cloudy skies and a few flurries are likely on Saturday. Temperatures will be in the mid- to upper 20s without a lot of wind. Sunshine returns for Sunday with highs near 30.