Winter’s about to get real. The latest forecast is showing some big changes, with more snow and colder temperatures than we expected. New Year’s Eve and the weekend are looking particularly chilly, with clearer predictions about when and how much snow we might see. Looks like we’ll want to keep those heavy coats and warm layers ready.
The Blair area will see an extended period of cold temperatures and periodic snow chances this week. Here’s what residents can expect:
Tuesday (December 31): New Year’s Eve brings windy and cold conditions with cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High temperatures around 32 degrees with strong northwest winds 20 to 30 mph and higher gusts possible. These winds will create significantly lower wind chills, with RealFeel temperatures only reaching 15 degrees. Evening activities will be cold with lows dropping to 20 degrees as winds gradually diminish to 10-20 mph.
Wednesday (January 1): New Year’s Day starts with a brief respite as sunshine returns with highs near 33 degrees and lighter west winds 5-10 mph. However, clouds increase late with snow likely after midnight. Accumulations less than one inch possible with a 70% chance of snow. Low temperatures around 24 degrees with east-southeast winds 5-10 mph.
Thursday (January 2): Morning snow showers will bring a coating to an inch of new snow. Some peeks of sunshine expected later in the day with highs reaching 28. North winds 10-15 mph. Clear and much colder at night with lows plunging to 9 degrees under northwest winds 5-10 mph.
Friday (January 3): Partly cloudy and cold with highs only reaching 20 degrees. North-northwest winds 5-10 mph. Overnight lows around 11 degrees under north winds.
Saturday (January 4): Cloudy and continued cold with a high of only 16. Northeast winds 10-15 mph with a few flurries or snow showers possible during the day. The night brings another round of accumulating snow, with 1-3 inches possible and lows dropping to 7 degrees.
Sunday (January 5): Snow showers continue with an additional 1-3 inches possible. High temperatures only reaching 14 degrees with north winds 10-20 mph. Evening snow showers taper off with lows dropping to 1 degree.
Looking ahead to next week, even colder air settles in with highs only in the single digits and lows dropping below zero by Monday night.
Residents should be prepared for dangerous wind chills through midweek and multiple rounds of snow, particularly Wednesday night through Thursday morning and again over the weekend. Wind chills by early next week could drop well below zero.
