29. Reduced air quality, snow & snow, cold then warming up.
Thanks to Dirk for the email heads-up of this Pollution Advisory issued by the Wisconsin DNR. Twelve counties are in the advisory (ten counties in west-central WI and two in east-central WI) until 20:00 tonight (Monday). The pink-ish hatching across the map indicates where higher pollution levels are expected.
Already at 9:00 monitoring stations across southern Wisconsin are showing elevated levels of pollution, with Green Bay edging into the Unhealthy category. Stations across the north are still in the green.
A Clipper today, cold arctic air to follow.
Cold air will begin to shift southward today behind the cold front, with more cold air tomorrow night. Temperatures tonight will range from 5 to 15 degrees across northern Wisconsin, while Tuesday night will see temperatures between -10 and 5.
Tuesday night will bring windchill values as low as -25 to the counties north and west of Duluth. This is above the criteria for a Windchill Advisory, but will be cold enough to be cautious with or without an advisory.
Snow and more snow.
Today's clipper will bring less than 2 inches of snow across the Northland today and tonight. It's moving fast enough and doesn't have too much moisture to work with, so it'll be a typical clipper.
The bigger story is the lake-effect snows from the strong and cold north winds behind the clipper tonight and tomorrow. A Lake Effect Snow Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for Bayfield County (including Maple Hill) while Lake Effect Snow Warning has been issued for Ashland and Iron Counties.
Bayfield County could see up to 5 inches of lake-effect snow while Ashland and Iron Counties will see between 6 and 12 inches by Tuesday night.
The rest of the week.
The map (to the left) shows today's jet stream position and the forecast for the next three days.
The upper-level trough that has been plaguing the eastern US will begin lifting northeast, allowing a ridge of high pressure to build in across the western 2/3 of the country.
A ridge will bring southerly winds with warmer (and moister) temps, maybe hitting the 30's by the weekend!
Post Script.
Derek's area of northwest Wisconsin is also expecting some light snow from this clipper, in addition to the gusty winds and cold temperatures behind it. More information about that area at his blog: NW Wisconsin Weather.
A Clipper today, cold arctic air to follow.
The rest of the week.
Post Script.