FORECAST SUMMARY: Tuesday, January 21, 2025, through Friday, January 24, 2025
PM-2.5: 24-hour daily average Fine Particulate concentrations will average mostly Good (Green AQI) with the chance for scattered Moderate levels (Yellow AQI) past midweek.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
Bitterly cold air has settled over the eastern half of the US. Closer to home, Tuesday morning temperatures are below zero in most locations with wind chills well below zero. Please use caution against the cold if time outside is necessary Tuesday or Wednesday. Along with the cold conditions, lake effect snow is also in the forecast. The highest accumulations will be confined to the most prone northwest to west wind flow areas. A clipper system traverses northwest to southeast through the state Wednesday into Thursday. This system keeps snow in the forecast; however, it will also start a moderating trend in the cold temperatures.
As for air quality, the cold north/west wind flow will keep fine particulate in the Good range Tuesday. Winds change to a southwesterly direction Wednesday ahead of the next storm system but expect the cold temperatures and Good air quality to remain in place. Weaker northerly winds Thursday behind the clipper system become southerly Friday as a weekend system approaches. The week will end with a mix of Good to low Moderate fine particulate readings.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
The extended weather models show a weekend system keeping snow in the forecast. A significant warmup isn’t expected, but temperatures will not be as cold as earlier in the week. Air quality levels should average mostly Good in the extended period.
Next Forecast update: Friday, January 24, 2025