The Spring Chill...

Good Morning!

Nice and clear outside to start this Thursday, but as a result, it's chilly out there.  40 over on the shores of Lake Michigan, Jackson and Lansing 37 right now.

Daytime temperatures will remain seasonable into Monday after a slight dip today.  Nighttime temperatures, that's a another story.  We've got a surprise in store as well…here's a closer look:

TEMPERATURES:  Temps will get back into the mid 50's after taking a day off today.  We'll continue to see a frost or freeze threat each night through Saturday, depending where you are.  Weekend highs settle well into the 50's for most places, there's a chance that some spots close to the south state line could see 60 during Easter weekend.  Monday afternoon into Tuesday, look out.  Temperatures take a dive as a cold snap noses in here.  Tuesday night into Wednesday, middle TWENTIES are on the table for nighttime lows.  BRRR!!!

Here's the GFS computer model's idea of Tuesday…

See that blue 540 in South Dakota that's highlighted?  That's the "rule of thumb" break point for temperatures around freezing and those warmer than that.  Mix in a little energy in aloft with the cold air, and you have a shot at SNOW (or snowshowers).  And yes, the GFS is showing some energy available for that on Tuesday.

RAIN/SNOW:  Yes, you read that that right, I have to mention the S word once more for the next few days, due to that cold air importing itself from north of the border.  It looks like anything we get will be light and scattered though, so IF you see snow, it shouldn't stick around long at all.  Here's the forecasted total precipitation thru Monday night 8 PM:

An upper wave coming through Sunday may kick off a widely scattered shower or two, and that's what you're seeing in the 5 day rain totals forecast above.  We'll see if the precipitation totals change with the next run.

SEVERE WEATHER:  One word --  Forgetaboutit! (is that a word?)  No severe threat here the next three days.  No thunderstorm threat either.  Here's the Storm Prediction Center's Day 1 outlook:

General risk in the Pacific Northwest, a small patch in the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming, "slight" risk in the Deep South, down into Florida.

Here's the Day 2 outlook:

Just a big belt of "general" risk from west Texas up through the Plains, all the way to the US/Canada border.

Day 3, a 5% chance stretches across west and north Texas into Oklahoma.

Here’s current conditions around the state right now, and a look at the visible satellite as well:

Time to look at the local forecast for Jackson County:

For today, mostly sunny skies, a few passing clouds, high temperatures near 50, NNE winds 10-20 MPH

Tonight, frost advisory or freeze warning expected, clear and cold, lows roll back to 29, NE winds 5-10 MPH.

Good Friday, mainly clear, a few clouds, high temperatures near 54, winds NE 5-10 MPH.

Friday night, starry skies, frost advisories or freeze warnings likely again, lows near freezing, SSE winds 5-10.

Saturday, clear and pleasant, high temperature 60.  SSE winds 5-10 MPH.

Easter Sunday, a chance of a shower early, then periods of clouds and sun, high of 57, winds W 10-20 MPH.

Monday, a slight chance of showers, high temperature 46, NW winds 10-20 MPH

Tuesday, partly sunny, chilly, chance of rain or snow showers, high of 43, NW winds 10-20 MPH.

Wednesday, partly sunny, still chilly, high of 42, NNW winds 10-15

Keep your plants covered the next few nights and get ready to cover them again next week!  We'll have updated notes on the blog later today.  Have a great Thursday!  Blessings.