The National Weather Service is warning residents to prepare for a colder and breezier pattern that will settle into the region through the weekend and into early next week.
Forecasters say breezy conditions are expected to persist through much of the weekend, with winds closely monitored as temperatures continue to fall. The combination of cold air and wind will lead to potentially dangerous wind chills during overnight hours.
Tonight, there is a greater than 70 percent chance that wind chills will drop below 15 degrees, making it important for residents to bundle up and limit exposure to the cold. Conditions may become even more uncomfortable Saturday night, when wind chills could fall below 5 degrees in some areas.
Meteorologists note this stretch of weather is colder than normal for this time of year and say advisories will be issued if conditions warrant.
While no significant snowfall is expected, there will be several chances for light snow. Shortwave disturbances moving through the region could bring periods of light snow, particularly tonight and again Friday night into early Saturday morning. Any accumulation is expected to be minimal.
After the initial surge of cold air, temperatures are forecast to briefly rebound on Friday before another colder air mass arrives Friday night. Overnight lows are expected to fall into the 20s, with wind chills once again dipping into the teens.
Northern and western areas may see a slight chance of light snow early Saturday morning, though forecasters say accumulation should be limited and mainly confined to grassy surfaces due to warming later in the day.
The cold pattern is expected to persist through the weekend and into early next week. Saturday night is shaping up to be the coldest period, with lows potentially dropping below 15 degrees and wind chills falling into the single digits. Residents are encouraged to monitor forecasts and take precautions against the cold.