We’ll continue the trend of mild temperatures into January; according to The Climate Prediction Center.  Their forecast has above normal temperatures across all of Wisconsin and through the center of the U.S.  The big change in our weather will be a wetter conditions.  The eastern half of Wisconsin is expected to have above normal precipitation.   If this wet pattern pans out, we could see our first big snow this month!

After waking up to the coldest temperature of the season yesterday, things are really warming up today and through the rest of the week.  First off the wind chill is a much different story this morning.  They were all below zero at this time yesterday but a big improvement today.  Expect sunshine with a few clouds and a high near 32° (Normal high is 25°).  High temperatures tomorrow will be in the mid 30s and on Friday we’ll see a high near 40°.  There’s no sign of any accumulating snow for the next 7 days and even the longer range computer models aren’t hinting at a major snowfall for the next couple of weeks. 

Temperatures plunged to the single-digits overnight and with a bit of wind, wind chills were below zero.  The low in Green Bay and Oshkosh was 5°; Appleton had 3° and Clintonville saw zero.  This is the coldest morning since way back in March of last year but the good news is that it won’t last.  A warming trend will take hold and highs will reach 40° by Friday!  We’re not the only ones dealing with the cold, Arctic air is impacting the southern United States including Florida where freeze warnings are out for tonight into Wednesday morning for most of the state. 

It was a very warm December, in fact it cracked the Top Ten of warmest Decembers on record in Green Bay.  The average monthly temperature for December 2011 was 29.1° which is 7.6° above normal.  This ranks 10th in warmest Decembers.  Taking a look at the list will show that 3 of the top 10 were in the last decade.  It was not as snowy as usual either with only 2.9″ of snow which ranks as the 15th least snowiest December. 

As the ball drops, we’ll be dry and mild with temperatures in the 30′s at midnight.  Overnight sleet/rain will move in and change to snow by the early morning.  We’ll only pick up between 1 and 3 inches of snow by tomorrow morning, but strong winds will make blowing and drifting a big problem.  Expect very slick travel tomorrow.  Temperatures will drop as the day progresses with the mercury in the upper 20′s for the start of the Packer game.  Expect winds tomorrow of 15-30 mph, gusting to 40, perhaps 50 mph along the Door Peninsula, that will easily put wind chills around 10 to 15 degrees, brrrrrr.

Winter Begins tonight at 11:30 our time but temperatures will not be winter-like.  In fact it will be above normal for the next 7 days and we’ll just have one chance for snow before Christmas and even that won’t amount to much. A cold front passes across the state tonight and we’ll see snow showers possible through tomorrow at noon but only about a half inch of accumulation is anticipated.  After a sunny Friday with highs near 30 we’ll see a fair weather Christmas weekend with highs in the mid 30s for Christmas Day.  This will be the first “Brown” Christmas in Northeast Wisconsin since 2006 and the third in the past 10 years which is about average.  Since weather records began in 1886, Green Bay has seen a White Christmas (defined as a snow depth of at least one inch) 70% of the time.  White or Brown…Santa will be able to deliver presents to the kids regardless. I mean he IS Santa, ya know.

Two weak weather systems will move through NE Wisconsin today.  The first system will produce light snow for the southern half of NE Wisconsin.  The next system will move in this afternoon producing light snow for the Northern half of NE Wisconsin.  Snow will be light so a dusting can be expected in most locations.  As with any snow roads may have slick spots, so be careful when traveling today.   Tomorrow we’ll see sunshine return and highs temperatures will reach the mid 30′s.

Over the next 7 day’s we’ll have 2 shot at snow, through it should not be heavy.  This Saturday a cold front will bring in light snow, amounts will average .25″ to .50″.  The forecast confidence is high Saturday so don’t expect big snowfall.

 The more interesting and potentially stronger storm will be next Wedneday the 21st.   This storm will originate in Texas and have a good amount of moisture with it.  Computer models are not sure where to put this storm.  Some put the storm in Illinois (that would give SE Wisconsin snow, potentially a winter storm) while other models keep the storm much farther south leaving us cool and dry.  If we don’t see snow next Wednesday a white Christmas may be in jeopardy.

 It’s another cloudy and mild day on tap for us with rain moving in tomorrow.  You may encounter some slippery roads this morning, particularly to the north as low level moisture could deposit on the roads and create a thin coat of ice.  In fact there is a dense fog advisory in effect this morning for the northern sections of our viewing area and a freezing rain advisory in effect for Menominee County, Michigan.  Highs today will be about 12 degrees above normal.  A storm system moving in from the southwest will tap into Gulf of Mexico moisture and bring periods of rain tomorrow and maybe even a rumble of thunder!  After that we are getting colder to end  the week.  Have a great day!

Packer fans will see a lot of sunshine when tailgating today.  Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 30′s for most of the day.  The only negative factor to the forecast is wind.  Winds will average 10-20 mph out of the Southwest, keeping wind chill readings in the upper 20′s all day long.  Click here for the latest temperatures and wind chills.